Phillips told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register Friday that “Opening Day is off the table” for him as he returns from a tear in his subscapularis that kept him off the 2024 World Series roster.

Phillips said he has progressed well in his recovery, though, and is not far behind schedule. Thus, an April return seems to be very possible for the Dodgers’ standout reliever.

#Dodgers Evan Phillips will throw his first bullpen session of spring today. Understands “Opening Day is off the table” for him. But has progressed well in recovery from subscap tear and is not far behind schedule now

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 21, 2025

Phillips opened up about how he feels in a conversation with Dodgers Nation this week.

“Physically, right now, I feel 100 percent,” Phillips said to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “Now it’s just about building up, starting my bullpen progression, and trying to get as close to game ready as possible.”

The Dodgers have no reason to rush Phillips back after an offseason that saw them add two All-Star relievers in Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. The Dodgers have immense depth in the pitching department entering the season, and will ensure Phillips is 100 percent before throwing him into action.

Phillips is coming off a bit of a down year in 2024. After sporting a 1.14 ERA across 64 appearances in 2022 and a 2.05 ERA across 62 appearances in 2023, he had a much more pedestrian 3.62 ERA over 61 appearances last year.

He was much better in the postseason, though, making five scoreless appearances, punching out six across 6.2 innings pitched.

Phillips will assume his usual fireman role in 2025 as Scott is expected to be the Dodgers’ main closer in 2025, per manager Dave Roberts.