Blake Treinen, once a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen, has had a lengthy recovery process from right labrum and rotator cuff surgery back on Nov. 11, 2022.

Treinen first joined the Dodgers before the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract. He was relied upon heavily that year, with his 27 appearances being the third-highest in the National League. The Dodgers re-signed Treinen to a two-year, $17.5 million contract that offseason.

In 2021, Treinen enjoyed his best year since an All-Star season in 2018 with the Oakland Athletics. Treinen was an elite setup man in 2021 with a 1.99 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and a MLB-leading 32 holds. Now, in 2024, the Dodgers are hoping that Treinen can replicate the success he had with prior right shoulder surgery.

Treinen recently said he is definitely getting closer to feeling like himself again, via AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:

“I think the feedback I’m getting from my teammates really encourages me that I’m in the right direction. There’s still a lot of little things to iron out. There’s so much feeling involved with your delivery that I still have a little way to go to get exactly where I want to be. But so far, so good. I feel healthy, so I can’t complain.”

Treinen and the Dodgers originally hoped he would return late in the 2023 season, but he wound up dealing with lingering right shoulder soreness and never got past a rehab assignment.

“But once I got to about the 12-month mark, things really started to free up. My PT (physical therapist) back home, Randy Castleman, really helped free me up. Right about mid-to-late November, things felt really, really good. And then it was just about ironing out details, like teaching my body how to get to certain places again that I hadn’t been in two years.

“Even throwing last year, there were just things my body wouldn’t allow me to get to. The tissue wasn’t ready, the tolerance wasn’t built up, and the range of motion wasn’t quite there.”

Treinen made his first appearance of the spring last Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, where he got through one scoreless inning. He did so again on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians, retiring the side in order.

Blake Treinen’s role in Dodgers bullpen

Treinen is among three relief pitchers who are coming off an injury that the Dodgers anticipate having on their Opening Day roster.

Although the veteran once was an All-Star closer, Treinen might be most utilized in a fireman role if he is healthy in 2024.