close
close

Evan Phillips was injured against the Yankees.

Evan Phillips was injured against the Yankees.

play

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen will be missing an important piece from its arsenal in World Series.

The squad list announced on Friday did not include a replacement Evan Phillipswhose departure in Clinch Game 6 the National League Championship Series was cut short due to injury problems.

While Phillips was replaced on the roster by fellow right-hander Brusdar Graterol, who is out for a month with a shoulder injury, the loss of Phillips removes an important part of the Dodgers’ postseason bullpen.

He has been perfect this postseason, allowing no runs over 6 ⅔ innings in five games, including a pair of wins in two bullpen games for the Dodgers, staffed exclusively by relievers.

Phillips said Thursday that he thought his removal from Game 6 after an inning — the Dodgers had planned for him to go two — was wise and likely saved him for the World Series, and that he hoped to be on the roster.

But Dodgers president Andrew Friedman explained before Game 1 that Phillips was not progressing as the team had hoped.

“It’s getting better every day … first of all, we’re not going to hurt him,” Friedman said. “And the way Major League Baseball’s injury rule is written, we wouldn’t be able to replace it because it was something that existed before.”

The Dodgers also welcomed back left-hander Alex Vecia (oblique) and shortstop Miguel Rojas (adductor), who both missed the NLCS.

“Obviously not having Evan for this series is definitely disappointing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Game 1. – But being able to add Brusdar and Alex to that list is a huge addition. I think they are a good fit for this football club and they have experience.”

The Yankees added lefty Nestor Cortez to their lineup in exchange for infielder John Bertie.

The USA TODAY app will quickly get to the heart of the news. Download for award-winning feature stories, crossword puzzles, audio stories, e-newspaper and more.