The Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting improvement from their bullpen in 2026 thanks to the addition of Edwin Díaz and other arms returning from injury, while also banking on bounce-back seasons from pitchers such as Blake Treinen.
Treinen has been one of the Dodgers’ most valuable high-leverage options in the bullpen since joining the organization in 2020. His biggest moment with the team came in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, providing 2.1 crucial innings in the series-clinching game.
He later signed a two-year, $22 million contract on the heels of that performance to remain with the Dodgers. However, 2025 proved to be a struggle for him in the regular season and into the postseason.
Treinen said he was disappointed with last year’s outcome, but the right-hander still believes he has more left to give, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I don’t think God would have given me a two-year contract for me to just have the year I had last year,” Treinen said. “I’m praying my whole life that I’m able to go out on top as the best version of myself. I don’t think I’m done.”
The 2025 season was a frustrating one for Treinen, as he was never able to feel like his stuff was 100% following a right forearm injury in April of last year. But in this new season and new year, the 11-year veteran has wiped the slate clean and is focused on being the best contributor he can be:
“Oh, it was frustrating for sure,” Treinen said this spring. “I felt like the start of the year was pretty good. Then the elbow injury and just everything else after that – feeling good but not really having the stuff I’m used to having. There was a clear distinction in vertical break on a lot of things, how late things were moving.
“That’s frustrating, trying to figure it out down the stretch. You have a couple good ones and think, ‘Okay, I’m there.’ I remember thinking after the Seattle series (to end the regular season) and then against Cincinnati (in the Wild Card Series), ‘Okay.’ But it didn’t work out that way. Gratefully, we still won. It would have been harder if we hadn’t won. All in God’s time. So many people had opportunities to have potentially career moments. … I can’t feel too bad about it. Obviously, I would like to have pitched better in the World Series. But I know I contributed. That’s not what I’m worried about. You want to be your best at those big moments. I wasn’t. That’s alright. This year is a new year.”
Treinen has made two appearances in Cactus League play, striking out two and allowing no baserunners across two innings of work.
Dodgers relying on Blake Treinen and veterans to solve bullpen issues
The Dodgers’ bullpen issues were multi-faceted last season, but one of the biggest factors was regression from Treinen, Tanner Scott and other veterans.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects improvement from this collection of arms, which is why he is feeling optimistic about the bullpen’s strength in 2026.
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