Dodgers Veteran Reliever Still Working to Return to Rotation

The Dodgers have gone through this first part of the new season without the services of a few key bullpen pieces. The injuries have started to pile up for the Los Angeles pitching staff and it seems that they won't be getting one of their main arms back for another few weeks.

Veteran right-hander Blake Treinen is still working his way back from taking a comebacker into his rib area during Spring Training. He has been out since and manager Dave Roberts provided an update on the status for him.

"Blake Treinen, who hasn’t pitched since suffering a bruised lung when he was struck by a line drive in a March 9 exhibition game, threw in the bullpen Thursday and will begin facing hitters soon in preparation for a minor league rehab stint. But Roberts said the reliever is “still a few weeks away” from returning to the Dodgers bullpen."

Treinen didn't pitch at all in 2023, as he was recovering from shoulder surgery. The Dodgers were hoping to have him back for this season, given that he was a key member of the team's bullpen before his injuries.

If Treinen is actually only a few weeks away from returning, this would be great news for a bullpen that has struggled so far this year. It has been one of the only weaknesses of the Dodgers thus far but could be corrected if they get their talented arms back sooner rather than later.