Will Klein’s breakout in last year’s World Series turned him into one of the Dodgers’ most unexpected bullpen success stories, but his 2026 regular season is now over.
Los Angeles moved the right-hander to the 60-day injured list ahead of Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, a move that rules him out for the rest of the regular season. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Klein can still be considered for October, though that will hinge on how his health progresses between now and then.
Klein’s rise with the Dodgers started in the most dramatic setting imaginable. In Game 3 of the 2025 Fall Classic, he worked four scoreless innings and helped set up Los Angeles’ walk-off win in the bottom of the 18th inning. That performance earned him a place on the active roster to begin 2026, and he was one of the bullpen’s best arms in the first half.
The second half was a different story. Klein struggled badly after the All-Star break, giving up nine runs in 4 1/3 innings and pushing his ERA to 3.67. The Dodgers placed him on the 15-day injured list on August 1 because of right elbow discomfort and loose bodies.
Instead of going straight to surgery, Klein tried to rest and has been working through a throwing progression. But he hasn’t advanced enough for the Dodgers to believe a September return is realistic.
His move to the 60-day injured list opens a roster spot for Blake Treinen, who has not pitched since June. Treinen brings plenty of October experience and is expected to step into Klein’s bullpen role right away.
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For now, Lauer is expected to miss at least two weeks, which leaves Los Angeles with four starting pitchers in the immediate picture. That is hardly where the Dodgers want to be at this point, especially with the margins getting tighter and the need for healthy innings only growing. Treinens return gives the bullpen a useful piece back, but the rotation issue is the one hanging over the roster now. [Read more 🡒]