Dodgers News: Blake Treinen Takes Huge Step in Recovery, ‘Confident’ He’ll Return This Season
Positive news keeps on coming in from injured pitchers, as one of the Dodgers most reliable relievers from 2021 could make an appearance this season.
Blake Treinen was placed on the 60-day injured list to start the 2023 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery during the offseason. After originally thinking he would have to sit out the entire year, Treinen is confident he’ll be back pitching for the Dodgers sometime soon.
It has been a long two years for the 35-year-old. After posting a sub-2 ERA in 2021, Treinen has been unable to stay healthy as he only pitched six innings in 2022.
After it was reported that Treinen could make a comeback this season, he spoke with the media to discuss his confidence level to pitch this season.
“Before the season, I was like, ’Heck yeah I’m coming back,’” Treinen said. “Coming back mid-August was my goal. You just don’t know, when you go through tissue and have to let it heal and gain integrity and capacity. That’s the hard part that I’m still trying to learn.
Via Orange County Register
“I’m confident I’ll be back. I just don’t know when that time is. I’d love to say ‘Hey, one month, (I’m) back.’ … I’ve got to start seeing some climbs in velo and then they can make the decision if I’m good enough to help them.”
On Wednesday, Treinen surprisingly threw to live hitters for the first time, and saw an uptick in his velocity. That’s a great sign in terms of a potential return this season.
Treinen is currently set to be a free agent when the season ends. Not only is he trying to make a comeback to help the Dodgers, he needs to prove that he can still pitch at a high level, injury free.
Before injuries plagued him, Treinen was one of the best relievers in the league. In three season with the Dodgers, he had a 2.45 ERA, 113/34 strikeout to walk ratio and a 175 ERA+.
The Dodgers pitching staff could use a boost from Treinen if he pitches like he did a couple of years ago. The team’s bullpen ERA ranks 19th in the league and is in the bottom half of walks allowed.
Judging off of Trienen’s words, it appears as though he will be around come postseason time to solidify the team’s bullpen on its way to another World Series Championship.
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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