Blake Treinen was one of the biggest question marks in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen heading into the season after a disappointing 2025 and continued struggles during Spring Training.
The right-hander has been put in a couple of high-leverage situations so far this year and pitched to improved results.
“I think for me, I just got so much trust in Blake,” manager Dave Roberts recently said. “The way he’s been throwing the baseball, his head’s in a good spot.”
Treinen’s turnaround from last season and Spring Training has been a pleasant surprise for the bullpen. During Cactus League play, the 12-year veteran had an 8.10 ERA with eight walks and a 2.40 WHIP.
Treinen began this year with a 6.2 scoreless innings streak and limited the amount of traffic on the basepaths. He ran into trouble against the Colorado Rockies, though that was largely attributed to overall challenges of pitching at Coors Field.
Despite the struggles, Roberts was willing to bet on Treinen figuring things out once the season started.
“It was a rough spring, and even through the exhibition games,” he said. “So I think it’s just one of those things that you just bet on Blake, in the sense of, once the lights come on, the season starts, and then he can kind of right it, and he did.”
The 2025 season was frustrating for Treinen, as he was never able to feel like his stuff was 100% following a right forearm injury in April of last year. Roberts confirmed the 37-year-old’s health affected his production last year, but said he is in a good spot this season.
“Yeah, there was health stuff last year. There was, and he’s never been one to make excuses, and he’s always taken the baseball when I’ve asked,” Roberts said. “But I do think that just talking to Josh Bard, the stuff was really, really good. The sweeper was really good, and it just certainly speaks to itself right now.”
Blake Treinen’s importance increased
With Edwin Díaz undergoing right elbow surgery to remove loose bodies, the Dodgers bullpen now collectively needs to fill the void at closer.
Roberts has indicated the plan is to rely on multiple relievers, including Treinen, in Díaz’s absence. Though he also conceded it’s probable Tanner Scott is who ends up receiving the bulk of save opportunities until Díaz returns in the second half of the season.
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