Blake Treinen is officially back from the injured list, folks, and just like that, the Dodgers’ bullpen picture for October got a whole lot more interesting. The righty’s been out battling shoulder fatigue for a solid month, but his return here in early September could be *massive* for a postseason run. The stakes couldn’t be higher!
The Grind Back to the Mound
This wasn’t some quick return, either. Treinen took serious, deliberate time off, stopping throwing completely to let that shoulder heal. Then, it was a painstaking, slow ramp-up, with rehab appearances in the minors and finally hitting live batting practice. The guy has been diligently nursing himself back to health. And what’s he bringing back? This year’s Treinen, when healthy, has been legit, posting a 3.52 ERA with a 3.48 FIP and 0.3 fWAR. That’s a huge step up, a *massive* improvement from his 2025 campaign, where he was clocking a rough 5.40 ERA and 4.75 FIP over similar innings while battling injuries. He came into 2026 relatively healthy, so if that shoulder is truly good to go now, his veteran experience and standing could be exactly what the Dodgers need to lock down those late, crucial innings. It’s go-time for Blake.
Bullpen Shuffle: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Now, this return isn’t happening in a vacuum, right? To make room for Treinen’s arm, the Dodgers had to shuffle some serious pieces around. Will Klein is heading to the 60-Day Injured List, which is always a tough break for any player. And then there’s our lefty, Eric Lauer, who’s also hitting the IL with left elbow inflammation. Lauer’s recent outings have been a real struggle, no doubt about it. We saw him give up a run in just two innings during one bullpen appearance, and then he got absolutely hammered, giving up seven runs in a short three innings. Let’s not forget, Lauer had even moved back into the starting rotation to help cover for Shohei Ohtani’s, shall we say, “failed pitching return.” This means the bullpen definitely needs some stability, some fire, and Treinen’s got a shot to provide exactly that, pronto.
What’s Next for Blake?
So, as we head deeper into this absolutely crucial month of September, all eyes are gonna be laser-focused on Treinen. Can he get back into elite game shape fast enough? Can he truly be that dominant, shut-down arm the Dodgers need for those insane, high-leverage October situations? These next few weeks are gonna be absolutely vital to see if he can reclaim his prime spot and help push this team deep into the postseason. You gotta love the drama!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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