Dodgers vs Phillies Series Preview: Injuries, Probables & Matchups
The Dodgers' East Coast road trip continues to the City of Brotherly Love for a three-game set versus the Phillies.
Los Angeles Dodgers (63-37) versus Philadelphia Phillies (55-45)
PHILADELPHIA, PA—The nine-game East Coast road trip continues for the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers as they head to the City of Brotherly Love for a pivotal three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
It marks the first meeting between these teams in Philadelphia since the opening two games of last year’s National League Division Series, both of which were won by Los Angeles.
The good vibes have continued for the Dodgers this season, as they took two of three from the Phillies during an early-season series at Dodger Stadium in May.
Now, with the first half of the season behind them, all eyes are focused on October, especially with the trade deadline less than three weeks away.
The Dodgers began the second half on a positive note, taking two of three from the New York Yankees in the Bronx, including a split of Sunday’s doubleheader.
The Phillies were unable to match that success, dropping two of three to the New York Mets at home as they opened the second half of the season at Citizens Bank Park.
Pitching Probables
Game One: Emmet Sheehan (4-6, 4.81 ERA) vs Cristopher Sánchez (11-4, 2.62 ERA)
Game Two: TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Zack Wheeler (10-1, 2.13 ERA)
Game Three: TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Aaron Nola (3-7, 5.68 ERA)
Game Times
Game One: 4:10 PM PT, ESPN
Game Two: 3:40 PM PT, SportsNet LA, NBC Sports Philadelphia, TBS
Game Three: 3:40 PM PT, SportsNet LA, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Who’s In & Who’s Out
The Dodgers continue to manage one of baseball’s longest injury lists, though several key contributors are making encouraging progress toward returning as Los Angeles opens its series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The biggest development surrounds two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will not make his scheduled pitching start on Wednesday, July 22nd, due to lingering inflammation in his left knee.
The Dodgers are expected to give Ohtani additional time to recover, and he could miss multiple starts, although the club remains confident he will pitch again later this season. Ohtani underwent a knee drainage procedure during the All-Star break after acknowledging the injury had affected him more on the mound than at the plate.
Left-hander Blake Snell took another major step toward his Dodgers debut by beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18th. The former Cy Young Award winner threw 1 1/3 innings on 32 pitches in his first appearance since undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. If his rehab continues without setbacks, Snell is expected to return in early August.
Veteran utilityman Kiké Hernández also began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, July 17th, as he works his way back from a left oblique strain that has sidelined him since late May. The Dodgers are targeting a return before the end of July.
Reliever Edwin Díaz is nearing his Dodgers debut as well after making his third rehab appearance with Single-A Ontario on Friday, July 17th. Díaz has been recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow and remains on track to be activated later this month if he continues progressing.
Behind the plate, Will Smith remains without a firm timetable after a setback in his recovery from neck inflammation. Smith was shut down from baseball activities because his neck was not improving as hoped, though the Dodgers are optimistic he can resume baseball activities during the week of Monday, July 20th, with a possible return in August.
The Dodgers are also taking a cautious approach with Tyler Glasnow, who continues working his way back from lower back spasms. Glasnow has advanced his bullpen sessions but is currently throwing only fastballs as he gradually rebuilds his workload. The club is hopeful he can return sometime in August.
Veteran reliever Blake Treinen has resumed playing catch after being sidelined with right elbow inflammation. While his throwing program is progressing slowly, the Dodgers still hope he can return before the end of July if he avoids any setbacks.
Several longer-term injuries remain. Gavin Stone continues his throwing program at the Dodgers’ complex in Arizona after battling right shoulder inflammation, though he has encountered difficulty increasing his workload and is not expected back until 2026. Ben Casparius and Bobby Miller are also rehabbing shoulder injuries in Arizona with return timelines extending into next season.
Meanwhile, Brusdar Graterol remains sidelined after recovering from both right shoulder and lower back surgeries, leaving his timetable uncertain. Jake Cousins continues his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery performed in June 2025 and is viewed as a potential bullpen option sometime during the second half of the season.
Day-to-day (00):
10-day IL (2): Kiké Hernández, Will Smith
15-day IL (1): Blake Treinen
60-day IL (8): Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Edwin Díaz, Brusdar Graterol, Ben Casaprius, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow
As the Phillies prepare to open a marquee series against the Dodgers, they’ll do so with several key players sidelined, including multiple members of their pitching staff.
The biggest blow came this week when veteran right-hander Brad Keller was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 13th, after suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow. Keller is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season, with interim manager Don Mattingly indicating that outcome is likely. Keller is scheduled to receive a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister before determining whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery or another procedure.
Philadelphia’s bullpen has also been without left-hander Tanner Banks, who landed on the 15-day IL on July 9th because of a left forearm strain. Banks struggled after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing five earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings over two appearances, and owns a 7.14 ERA on the season. The Phillies have not provided a timetable for his return.
Veteran reliever Lou Trivino remains sidelined as well after being placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 7th, with a right thoracic muscle spasm. The injury forced Philadelphia to shut him down before its series in Cincinnati, and the club has yet to announce when he could return to the mound.
The Phillies’ position-player injuries are equally significant. Center fielder Johan Rojas is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. Rojas had initially been working his way back from an 80-game suspension but experienced elbow discomfort during baseball activities, ultimately requiring season-ending surgery. The expectation is that he will be fully recovered in time for Spring Training in 2027.
Philadelphia also lost veteran outfielder Adolis García for the year after he suffered a serious right lat injury while attempting to throw out a runner at home plate on June 10. García underwent season-ending surgery on June 24th and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2027 campaign.
In the minor leagues, the Phillies continue to monitor the progress of top prospect Aidan Miller, who is recovering from discogenic pain and facet inflammation in his back. Miller underwent a procedure on June 5th to address the recurring issue and is targeting a return to game action sometime in August if his rehab continues on schedule.
10-day IL (00):
15-day IL (3): Lou Trivino, Tanner Banks, Brad Keller
60-day IL (2): Johan Rojas, Adolis Garcia