The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was a bright spot during the 2023 season after a slow start, and they were able to turn it around despite Blake Treinen and J.P. Feyereisen being sidelined for the entire year due to injury.
Treinen did not pitch after undergoing surgery to repair the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder in November 2022. He attempted a late-season comeback but was shut down after experiencing shoulder soreness.
Feyereisen was acquired from Tampa Bay Rays last offseason and had the same operation in December 2022 that prevented him from taking the mound this year.
Both pitchers made progress toward the end of the 2023 season and are expected to be a full go for the Dodgers in Spring Training, per Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider:
Relief pitchers Blake Treinen and J.P. Feyereisen, who the Dodgers acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay last December but missed 2023 after shoulder surgery, were trending up as the season ended. Their offseason looks to be normal with both expected to be ready to go for Spring Training camp in February.
In parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, Treinen has posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings across 104 games.
The right-hander only logged five innings during the 2022 season but should easily surpass that total next year barring another setback. If he is able to return to form, Treinen should once again be a key member of the Dodgers bullpen.
The Dodgers exercised their $1 million club option on Treinen for the 2024 season, which is his final year of team control before potentially reaching free agency.
Feyereisen went a perfect 4-0 and tossed 24.1 scoreless innings for the Rays in 2022. He is among the Dodgers players eligible for salary arbitration this offseason.
Dodgers bullpen outlook
Having re-signed Joe Kelly to a one-year contract and picking up Treinen’s club option, the Dodgers bullpen is largely set for the 2024 season.
The group could consist of some combination of Yency Almonte, Caleb Ferguson, Feyereisen, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Evan Phillips, Treinen and Alex Vesia. Daniel Hudson was also added back to the mix on a Minor League deal.
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