{"id":115856,"date":"2026-03-19T15:03:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=115856"},"modified":"2026-03-19T15:03:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:03:04","slug":"what-do-the-dodgers-do-with-their-struggling-high-leverage-reliever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/19\/what-do-the-dodgers-do-with-their-struggling-high-leverage-reliever\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do the Dodgers Do With Their Struggling High-Leverage Reliever?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Opening Day is fast approaching, and the Los Angeles Dodgers still have a few decisions to make, including one they may not have anticipated. Right-handed reliever Blake Treinen<\/a> seemed to be a lock to make the roster next week. He could be counted on to get high leverage outs in the not-too-distant past. However, he looks like a shell of his former self lately. Can the Dodgers afford to be patient?<\/p>\n

A Long Road Back<\/h2>\n

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In 2024, the right-handed bullpen veteran<\/a> had shoulder surgery prior to the season. Shoulders<\/a> take a longer time to recover than elbows do after being under the knife. As a result, Treinen’s return was delayed. But it was worth the wait. He carried a sub-two Earned Run Average in limited, but pivotal outings. In short, the Dodgers don’t get the World Series or win it<\/a> without Treinen. His heroic efforts in Game Five are the stuff of legend. He bridged several innings, and it allowed the Dodgers to complete the comeback in game five of the Fall Classic.<\/p>\n

Another Setback<\/h2>\n

However, it came at a cost. The right-hander’s return in 2025 was delayed with a shoulder issue<\/a>. When he eventually returned, he wasn’t effective at all. There were glimmers of the shutdown reliever, but only glimmers. His Earned Run Average ballooned to an uncharacteristic five-ish Earned Run Average for the year, and it was worse in the postseason.<\/p>\n

Blip, Pattern, or Something More?<\/h2>\n

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For what it’s worth, Treinen has had an uneven career of sorts. He was “due” for a down year last season. However, Spring Training isn’t trending in the right direction for the veteran thus far. He has been blown up in his last two outings. He has given up multiple runs and struggled with his control. As a result, \u00a0his E.R.A. is now over 11 and 1\/2.<\/p>\n

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Blake Treinen entered with 2 runners on.<\/p>\n

He hit a batter, gave up a grand slam, allowed a (somewhat fluky) double, then walked a batter before finally getting the last out of the inning.<\/p>\n

His ERA in spring is 11.57. He\u2019s not inspiring much confidence in a bounce back season so\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n