Blake Treinen’s season is done, and the Dodgers just lost another key arm at the worst possible time.
The 38-year-old reliever hurt his shoulder while warming up in the bullpen Saturday in San Francisco, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Treinen will not pitch again this season. It’s a brutal ending for a pitcher who had only recently come back from a long stay on the injured list.
Treinen returned earlier this month after dealing with inflammation in his right elbow, an issue that kept him out for all of July and August. He got back on the mound and made seven appearances, giving up three earned runs in 6.2 innings. For the year, he finished 4-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 29.2 innings.
The injury hits harder because of who Treinen has been for this Dodgers team. He’s in his 12th MLB season and has spent the last six years in Los Angeles, becoming one of the few players on the roster tied to all three Dodgers World Series titles this decade.
That includes his work in the 2024 World Series, when he threw 2.1 scoreless innings in Game 5 and was the winning pitcher in the Dodgers’ championship-clinching victory over the New York Yankees.
Treinen had been working mainly in a setup role and was averaging more than a strikeout per inning, so his absence cuts further into the Dodgers’ late-inning depth as the postseason approaches.
Since arriving in Los Angeles in 2020, Treinen has been a steady bullpen presence. Over six seasons with the Dodgers, he’s gone 23-20 with a 2.88 ERA in 222 regular-season games.
He’s also set to hit free agency after the season, and his age and injury history now make his future a real question, whether that’s with the Dodgers or somewhere else. In his career, which began in 2014, Treinen is 49-42 with a 2.94 ERA and 83 saves.
In Other News...
Phillies Fans Are Livid And The Backlash Just Got Worse
The reaction around the Harry the Ks deck at Citizens Bank Park has only gotten louder since the Phillies moved to rename and sell the area to a corporate sponsor. What might have been a routine business decision quickly turned into a sore spot for fans, and the conversation spilled onto social media when Phillies supporters began directing their frustration at Dan Lourenco, the founder of Ghost Energy, even though the branding move was not directly initiated by his company.
Lourenco did respond to some of the criticism, but his later comments were taken by many fans as dismissive, which only deepened the backlash. For a fan base that is usually quick to defend the look and feel of its ballpark, the exchange has become about more than a deck sign, with the tone of the response now drawing as much heat as the rebrand itself. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Still Have One Major Game 1 Pitching Decision Left
The Phillies got the final-day push they needed to lock up a Wild Card spot, riding Zack Wheelers effort in a win over the Rays and setting the stage for a quick turnaround into October. With the postseason now here, the club is sorting through its Game 1 pitching plan, and the choice carries real weight because Philadelphia has already lined up Cristopher Sanchez for Game 2.
One possibility still on the table is a bullpen game that would lean on Jess Luzardo and Andrew Painter, while Aaron Nola is expected to take the ball on short rest. It is the kind of October decision that can shape an entire series, especially for a Phillies team that wants to get off to a strong start and avoid asking too much of its staff right away. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Rookies Just Made The Playoff Push Feel Bigger
The Phillies latest playoff push has also turned into a first taste of October for three young pitchers and hitters who have spent much of the season learning what it takes to stick. Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter and Alex McFarlane all found their way onto the postseason roster, a notable milestone for players who arrived with promise and then had to earn trust along the way. Crawford settled in after a midseason jump in performance and embraced his role, Painter sharpened his pitching after a minor league stint, and McFarlane emerged as a dependable bullpen option.
For a club built to chase a deep run, the rookie presence adds another layer to the story. These are not just extra bodies on the bench or in the bullpen, but players who helped the Phillies get here and now get to experience the postseason for the first time together. Their celebration reflected how much the moment meant, even if the bigger challenge is still ahead and the real test of what they can handle is only beginning. [Read more 🡒]