Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts outlined a cautious approach the team intended to take with their players — particularly pitchers — heading into a short Spring Training this year, yet that wasn’t enough for Andrew Heaney and Blake Treinen to avoid respective shoulder trouble.
After throwing 10.1 scoreless innings and collecting 16 strikeouts against three walks in two starts, Heaney was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week due to left shoulder discomfort.
Treinen was held out of the Atlanta Braves series and projected to be available this weekend at Petco Park, but on Friday he was put on the IL because of right shoulder discomfort.
When discussing the two injuries, Roberts expressed a belief the short Spring Training coming out of the MLB lockout is partly to blame, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Yeah, I think so,” Roberts said Friday after the Dodgers placed Blake Treinen on the IL with shoulder discomfort. “We did what we could to prepare them and not overtax them going into the season. But I think with any pitcher, the uncertainty of when we’re going to start (the season), if we’re going to start and then now we have a week to get ready for spring training – I think that certainly had some impact.”
If there’s one silver lining, Roberts previously indicated the team does not consider Heaney’s discomfort to be a long-term issue nor related to past shoulder injuries.
Treinen may be in a similar boat, considering the Dodgers expected him to be available after resting earlier in the week. Treinen last pitched on April 14, which was his third appearance of the season.
Dodgers pitching plans without Heaney & Treinen
L.A. has turned to Tyler Anderson to fill the void in the starting rotation. Anderson previously appeared out of the bullpen as a piggyback to Tony Gonsolin, and now makes his first start with the Dodgers on Saturday.
In the bullpen, Evan Phillips is among those who will be relied on more heavily in Treinen’s absence. Phillips pitched a clean inning in the series opener against the San Diego Padres, and has retired 16 batters in a row.
Phil Bickford and Brusdar Graterol figure to be among those who receive more opportunities as well.
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