What Does the Dodgers Bullpen Look Like Without Blake Treinen?
Injuries have already begun cropping up throughout the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
The latest to fall victim to a physical issue is Blake Treinen. The decorated reliever has been put on the injured list, and it’s anyone’s guess as to when he’ll be back having not pitched since mid-April. After an MRI showed a low-grade forearm sprain, Treinen avoided major injury — though he may be out for a month if not more.
More news: Dodgers Reveal Tyler Glasnow’s Injury During Sunday’s Start
One fixture from last year’s team in the bullpen is Evan Phillips. The right-hander was a staple on the backend — functioning as a high-leverage setup man and also as a closer at times.
After suffering an arm injury in the NLCS versus the New York Mets, he was left off the World Series roster.
It had been reported that Phillips was with the team on this current roadtrip. He was then activated and even threw against the Rangers in what was a welcomed sight for Dave Roberts and the rest of the team. Phillips pitched in back-to-back games, recording two holds.
After finishing up a three-game series in Texas versus the Rangers, the Dodgers are heading to Chicago to take on the Cubs in what’s already the third time this year they’ve squared off with the North Siders.
With Treinen on the shelf in the interim — and potentially for the foreseeable future — getting Phillips back healthy was paramount. He’ll join Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott as an interchangeable trio that can be employed with real versatility depending on the opponent.
As one recalls last year, Phillips was a part of the bullpen group nicknamed ‘The Bullpen Dawgs’ for their resiliency, toughness, and overall importance to the team. Brent Honeywell, a former member of the group, met up with the team on the current road trip in order to collect his World Series ring.
With the status of Treinen a bit cloudy, the team can at least reset a bit with Phillips, Yates, and Scott as the primary high-leverage arms. Alex Vesia is another who’s proven to be in this group as well.
From a middle-relief standpoint, Anthony Banda fits the bill as a guy who can go against both righties and lefties. Noah Davis and Luis Garcia appear to be placeholders until other pitchers (such as Clayton Kershaw and Michael Kopech) get fully back.
Jack Dreyer and Ben Casparius are most certainly the long reliever options who can each go multiple innings if need be. Both have been excellent to begin this season.
More news: White Sox ‘Intrigued’ by James Outman in Trade With Dodgers, Says Insider
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!
