The Los Angeles Dodgers activated placed Blake Treinen on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm tightness and activated Evan Phillips prior to Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
Treinen was warming up during the bottom of the ninth inning of the series opener at Globe Life Field but didn’t enter the game as Max Muncy helped Tanner Scott strand two runners.
Treinen last pitched on April 13, when he allowed a run in his one inning of work against the Chicago Cubs. He threw 20 pitches in the appearance, his second-highest in a game this season.
That was part of Treinen pitching a fourth time over a one-week span. Overall this season, he’s 0-2 with two saves, a 3.38 ERA, 3.66 FIP and 1.38 WHIP in eight games.
Treinen re-signed with the Dodgers during the offseason on a two-year, $22 million contract. He’s been with the team since 2020.
Evan Phillips first injured Dodgers pitcher to return
Phillips becomes the first of the injured Dodgers pitchers to return, with Tony Gonsolin close behind and figuring to be next.
Phillips began the season on the injured list due to a right rotator cuff strain that limited his throwing program during the offseason. He suffered a partial tear in the back of his right rotator cuff during the 2024 postseason and was forced to miss the World Series.
The full extent of Phillips’ injury not discovered until an MRI in December, but he was able to avoid surgery.
When he reported to Spring Training, the hope was Phillips would be activated in April as he progressed ahead of schedule.
Phillips ended up making six rehab appearances with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, tossing 5.2 innings, including outings on back-to-back days.
He struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed six runs on nine hits in his outings. But the most important thing is the right-hander came out of them feeling healthy.
“Physically, he is in a great state,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to Phillips’ sixth rehab game. “He is getting a little anxious. A little angsty.”
There was an expectation for Phillips to make a final appearance with Oklahoma City this weekend and join the Dodgers for their upcoming series with the Cubs, but Treinen’s injury required a change in plans.
Phillips is coming off an inconsistent season that saw him go 5-1 with 18 saves, a 3.62 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 1.19 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 61 appearances.
The 30-year-old particularly struggled after the All-Star break as he posted a 4.68 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 30 games. Phillips rebounded in August but had a rough finish to the season as he yielded a 5.40 ERA over his last 11 appearances.
Phillips again bounced back during the National League Division Series and Championship Series with a combined 6.2 scoreless innings before suffering the right shoulder injury.
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!