In an unprecedented turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with a staggering injury crisis, placing 15 players on the injured list (IL) as they navigate through the early weeks of the 2025 MLB season. The latest casualty is right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips, who was placed on the IL on May 8, 2025, due to discomfort in his right arm. This comes after Phillips had only recently returned from a previous injury, having been promoted from the minors on April 20, 2025, following a recovery from damage to his right rotator cuff.
Phillips has been a standout performer for the Dodgers this season, boasting an impressive 0.00 ERA across 7 appearances. His most recent outing on May 6 against the Miami Marlins saw him pitch a scoreless inning, allowing just 2 hits. However, his absence now adds to the Dodgers' mounting injury woes, with key players like outfielder Teoscar Hernández and pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell also sidelined. Hernández was placed on the IL just a day prior due to tightness in his left groin, further exacerbating the team's struggles.
As fans express their frustration and concern over the team's injury situation, social media has been rife with comments like "Not again!" and "This is getting ridiculous!" The Dodgers' official X account has seen an outpouring of distress from supporters, highlighting the severity of the situation. The team now finds itself in a precarious position, with 15 players on the IL, 13 of whom are pitchers, a scenario described by manager Dave Roberts as a "red zone" emergency.
In light of Phillips' injury, the Dodgers have re-promoted pitcher Matt Sauer, who stepped in to fill the gap left by Phillips. Sauer's return to the roster comes at a critical time, as the Dodgers look to stabilize their pitching staff amid this crisis. The team has had to rely heavily on its bullpen this season, with pitchers logging the most innings in the major leagues at 157, which accounts for nearly half of the team's total innings pitched.
Despite the ongoing injury challenges, the Dodgers managed to secure a convincing 10-1 victory against the Marlins on the same day Phillips was placed on the IL. Shohei Ohtani, starting as the designated hitter, contributed significantly to the win with 1 hit and 3 walks in 2 at-bats. Starting pitcher Landon Knack delivered an outstanding performance, throwing for 5 and 2/3 innings without allowing a run, striking out 5 batters along the way.
Knack's performance was complemented by Sauer, who was also promoted on the same day. Sauer pitched effectively, allowing only 1 run over 4 innings of work, and helped to solidify the bullpen's efforts. Manager Dave Roberts praised both pitchers after the game, stating, "Landon was fantastic. He arrived just a day ago but was well-prepared and understood the situation, pitching efficiently. Matt also did a great job filling in, maintaining the pace of the game and keeping the strike zone filled."
The Dodgers' bullpen has been under immense pressure, especially with the number of injuries sustained by key players. The team has had to adapt quickly, and the performances of Knack and Sauer are a testament to their resilience and depth. As Roberts noted, "Using these two today felt quite different from the previous day. We were able to reset the bullpen, which is a relief considering our current situation."
With the Dodgers facing an uphill battle due to their extensive injury list, fans are left wondering how the team will cope in the coming weeks. The situation remains fluid, and the organization is hopeful that key players will return soon to help restore balance to the roster. Until then, the Dodgers will have to rely on their remaining talent and the contributions of newly promoted players to navigate this challenging stretch.
As the team prepares for their upcoming games, the focus will be on maintaining performance levels while managing the health of their players. The Dodgers have always been a resilient team, and with the right adjustments, they may just find a way to weather this storm. One thing is for sure: the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how the rest of the season unfolds for this storied franchise.
