Blake Treinen Shocks MLB with Dominant Comeback—Inside the Dodgers Reliever’s Impact on the Playoff Chase

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ bullpen just regained one of its most trusted late-inning weapons. Right-hander Blake Treinen was activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday, clearing the final hurdle in his recovery from the right forearm tightness that sidelined him for more than three months. Manager Dave Roberts said the club will be “mindful of the up-down,” meaning Treinen may avoid multi-inning appearances at first, but the skipper has “no problem” using the 37-year-old in high-leverage spots right away. That’s welcome news for a staff that has shuffled 27 different pitchers through its bullpen and still owns the National League’s third-best ERA since the All-Star break. Before landing on the IL on April 18, Treinen logged eight appearances, going 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA and two saves. Underlying metrics painted a rosier picture: a 34.6 percent strikeout rate and .182 opponent batting average, both tops among Dodgers relievers with at least five innings pitched. Treinen’s return is also a personal milestone. The veteran missed the entire 2023 campaign after undergoing shoulder labrum and rotator-cuff repair surgery, a procedure with a typical 10-month timetable that cast doubt on the rest of his career. Instead, he answered by delivering a 1.93 ERA over 50 games in 2024 and securing a two-year, $22 million extension last December, only to be derailed again by the forearm issue in April. Los Angeles cleared a roster spot by optioning right-handers Will Klein and Edgardo Henriquez to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled left-hander Justin Wrobleski, whom Roberts envisions in two- and three-inning stints. But Treinen is the headline addition, instantly lengthening a back end that already features Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips and fireballing rookie Kyle Hurley. Why the timing matters • October stretch run: The Dodgers entered Sunday with a 4-game lead in the NL West and 22 contests remaining. A healthy Treinen allows Roberts to spread workload more evenly during a 17-games-in-17-days gauntlet that includes showdowns with the surging Giants and playoff-hopeful Padres. • Matchup weapon: Treinen’s turbo-sinker averaged 97.3 mph in his brief April cameo, producing a 74.1 percent ground-ball rate. Against right-handed hitters, he limited foes to a .154 average and 59 percent whiff rate on his slider. • Postseason résumé: An All-Star with Oakland in 2018, Treinen owns a 1.35 ERA across 26 postseason innings and has already collected rings in 2020 and 2024. Few relievers on the current roster boast that combination of power stuff and playoff experience. Fantasy and betting impact For fantasy managers still grinding through September, Treinen is worth an immediate add in leagues that count holds or have deep save pools. Roberts prefers committee usage, but Treinen could steal occasional ninth-inning chances when Phillips is down. Bettors should monitor Treinen’s velocity in his first two outings; anything in the 96-98 mph range is a green light that his forearm is fully healed. What’s next The Dodgers plan to ease Treinen in with a day of rest after each outing for at least the first week. If the righty responds well, expect him to work consecutive days by mid-month and be unrestricted for the final two series of the regular season. After two years defined by operating-room lights and rehab treadmills, Blake Treinen is back under the Chavez Ravine lights. For a Dodgers team eyeing a third title in six seasons, the timing couldn’t be better.