Evan Phillips declared himself ready to return to major league competition at a Los Angeles Dodgers press conference on July 6, 2026, following a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City after Tommy John surgery. "I feel like I'm ready to go," Phillips said.
Phillips noted that his velocity during the rehab assignment reached mostly 95–97 mph with some 98s, adding, "very happy with that. I wasn't really sure what to expect when it came to velocity." He also stated that he had not carried a full workload since the end of the 2024 season, and that the turning point in his recovery came approximately two weeks before his return, when he began pitching and feeling more like himself. Phillips credited leaning on family and teammates for keeping his mindset focused during that stretch.
Phillips spent approximately a month on his rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, where he said he completed back-to-back appearances and two-out-of-three series, checking what he described as all the boxes. During the second half of the assignment, he shifted his focus from the physical side toward execution and competition. He acknowledged, however, that "you can't simulate the mental capacity this takes. The schedule, the workload, the competition is way different" from what minor league rehab games can offer.
On pitch deployment, Phillips explained that while keeping his primary mix was the priority, he experimented with fastball grips, pitch location, and a changeup during rehab. He deferred final decisions on what to deploy to pitching coach Mark and his staff, stating, "I feel like my primary mix is very sharp and ready to roll." Regarding workload management, including back-to-back appearances at the major league level, Phillips said "it'll be up to Doc and his staff as to how they want to manage it," while adding that physically he is ready for whatever is asked.
Phillips also mentioned that Carl Crawford was referenced in the context of having spent extended time in Oklahoma City. During the recovery period, Phillips said he was kept occupied by the postseason chase, free agency, and the birth of his daughter during spring training. He attended a live batting practice at Dodger Stadium approximately a month and a half before his return game, which he described as a moment to appreciate being back. When asked whether the long absence had hit him emotionally, Phillips said he hoped the feeling would hold off until he was walking off the mound.