The Los Angeles Dodgers initially hoped Blake Treinen would only miss a few days as he began to deal with right shoulder trouble. That changed when he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 22, but the belief still was the stint would be relatively short.
But now the Dodgers’ relief pitcher is out until some time after the All-Star break, and possibly longer, as the team transferred Treinen to the 60-day IL. Treinen has declined to reveal the specifics of his shoulder trouble but maintained he will pitch again this season and suggested there is not structural damage.
The Dodgers are still hopeful, and possibly even optimistic, that they will get their best reliever back at some point this year, but it is not out of the realm of possibilities that Treinen could end up missing the rest of the 2022 season, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
One person Sunday said there is a “decent” chance Treinen returns this season. However, there remains a real possibility he misses the remainder of the campaign too.
Treinen has yet to resume throwing since the injury surfaced in April, but he continued to stay in shape. “As of now it’s more lower-body days and working out,” he recently said.
“I’ll be doing some strengthening stuff. They’re going to lay it out for me. I’ve just got to focus on each day and try to get back. I think the organization has my best interest and the team’s best interest in mind. Whatever their plan is, I’m going to trust.”
Treinen added he was forced to the IL because of not wanting to push through “some trust issues and some weakness” in his right shoulder.
While the Dodgers would love to have their versatile reliever back sooner than later, they are maintaining a patient approach with him to make sure he is fully healthy if he returns.
Dodgers re-signed Treinen with option year
Although the question of when he will return remains, the Dodgers announced the signing of Treinen to a one-year contract extension that runs through the 2023 season.
Treinen previously had an $8 million team option or $1.5 million buyout on his deal for next season. The 33-year-old will earn the same salary in 2023, but potentially could make less if he misses time for specific injuries, and the extension includes an option for 2024.
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