The Los Angeles Dodgers are counting on a bounce-back season from Blake Treinen, but his struggles from a year ago have seemingly carried over into Spring Training.
Through six Cactus League appearances, Treinen has pitched to a 10.80 ERA and 2.60 WHIP with more walks (six) than strikeouts (four) in five innings of work.
The 37-year-old is coming off a rough outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday that saw him enter in the fifth inning with two runners on base. He hit his first batter and then allowed a grand slam on the very next pitch before eventually recording the final two outs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes Treinen has not shown much confidence this spring and wants to see that change before the team departs Arizona, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I don’t see confidence,” Roberts said. “Obviously the execution is not there, with the sinker, the sweeper is a ball. It’s been a few, three or four outings consistently not throwing the baseball the way we expect.
“But for me, off the top, there’s no conviction. I see a lack of confidence.”
Roberts noted that Treinen has been an important member of the Dodgers’ bullpen over the past few seasons and hopes he can get back to being an effective reliever this year:
“He’s done so much for us and he’s pitched in so many big ballgames. He’s been so dependable,” Roberts said. “But certainly right now, he’s going through it. We’ve got to find a way to right it before we get into the season. He’s only going to have a couple more outings before the season starts. Hopefully these next couple he can turn it around.”
Treinen is coming off a difficult year that saw him go 2-7 with a 5.40 ERA, 4.75 FIP and 1.84 WHIP in 32 appearances. He continued to strike out batters at a high rate, but posted the worst walks per nine innings of his career (6.4).
Some of Treinen’s struggles can be attributed to missing more than three months due to right forearm tightness, and he never found much of a rhythm after returning in late July.
Although Treinen is fully healthy again, his Spring Training results have not yet reflected that. He will likely have one more opportunity to right the ship in Cactus League play before the Dodgers return to Southern California on Saturday.
Blake Treinen confident he can pitch at high level
Treinen said earlier this month that he is confident he can still pitch at a high level for the Dodgers, and Roberts previously shared a belief that the right-hander still has plenty in the tank.
“A lot in the tank,” Roberts said of Treinen at the start of Spring Training. “I know that the age is one thing, but for me, it’s what I see and what the ball is doing. And he’s healthy again, he’s throwing the baseball, the ball is coming out really well.
“I don’t care about the age, the body is moving well, he’s still strong. And I saw ‘pen a couple days ago, and a few days ago, and yesterday, it’s as good as I’ve seen for the baseball in a while.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
