Blake Treinen was expected to be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen for Opening Day of the 2024 season, but that changed as a result of being struck in the chest by a line-driver comebacker late in Spring Training.
It was initially believed that Treinen sustained a bruised lung, and he traveled with the team to South Korea amid a plan to be on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. But Treinen dealt with lingering discomfort and further testing upon the team returning to the United States revealed he sustained fractured ribs as well.
The 35-year-old resumed facing hitters earlier this month and has since started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has struggled so far, allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings pitched over three appearances.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Treinen will need to pitch in a few more games with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club before getting activated off the 15-day injured list, via SportsNet LA:
“I would assume he’s got another couple more before he gets to us, so I don’t see him being with us [this] week. … He hasn’t pitched in a while, so just to pitch competitive innings and to make sure when he does get back with us, there’s no limitations.”
Treinen’s poor results with OKC can likely be attributed to rust and simply trying to get back in the swing of things in a hitter-friendly environment. He was effective in Cactus League play before the injury, collecting two strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings of work (four games).
Since the start of the 2022 season, Treinen has thrown just five innings at the Major League level after being a fixture in the Dodgers bullpen from 2021-22.
In his nine-year career, Treinen has pitched to a 2.86 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 1.23 WHIP across 503 innings with a 24.3% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate.
Blake Treinen should boost Dodgers bullpen
Despite his struggles in Triple-A, Treinen’s imminent return should boost a Dodgers bullpen that has been plagued by injuries and inconsistencies this season.
Without Treinen and Brusdar Graterol, Dodgers relievers rank in the bottom half of the league in bullpen ERA.
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