Braves sign reliever Evan Phillips to 3-year, $35 million contract, reuniting him with original team

The Atlanta Braves have secured relief pitcher Evan Phillips in a three-year, $35 million contract, reuniting the pitcher with his original team. Phillips, 32, previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers before his return to Atlanta. Signed on Thursday, the deal includes a $11 million salary for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, and $13 million for 2029.

Phillips agreed to donate 1% of his earnings to the Braves' charitable foundation. The Braves, lacking a closer after Raisel Iglesias became a free agent, sought late-inning reinforcements, leading to the signing of Phillips. He made a strong debut for the Dodgers right after the All-Star break, one year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Over his last 14 regular season appearances, Phillips struck out 19 batters while maintaining a 1.46 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. In the playoffs, he posted a 1.46 ERA in five scoreless outings. Over the past five years, Phillips has posted a 2.31 ERA, the best in the National League and fourth-best in the majors among pitchers who appeared in at least 200 games.

Phillips, a native of North Carolina, was drafted by the Braves in the 17th round in 2015 and made his MLB debut in 2018. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles less than a month later before being picked up by the Dodgers in 2021.