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Blake Treinen continues to check boxes in his comeback from right elbow inflammation, facing batters for a second time after an initial live BP session on July 29, per Dodger Blue. Treinen has been sidelined for nearly two months, but his tone has shifted from cautious optimism to something more definitive — he says he’s “very confident” he can contribute to our bullpen when he returns.

That confidence matters, because Treinen knows what he’s talking about when it comes to pitching through adversity. The right-hander has been a bedrock of the Dodgers’ relief corps since signing with the club back in 2020, delivering high-leverage innings when healthy and earning enormous trust from the coaching staff. His sinker-cutter combination remains one of the more effective pitch mixes in any bullpen when it’s working right, and his postseason track record — including his dominant run in the 2024 World Series — speaks for itself. The elbow inflammation that’s kept him out since mid-June has been frustrating precisely because of how much he means to this group.

The fact that he’s now gone through multiple live batting practice sessions is a tangible step forward. These aren’t just flat-ground throws or bullpen sessions with a catcher — facing hitters is the real test of whether the arm can handle game-like stress. Treinen passing that test more than once is encouraging. The next logical step would be a rehab assignment, which we flagged as something the club was working toward. Getting him into actual minor league games will tell us a lot about his readiness, both in terms of stuff and stamina.

I want to be clear about the stakes here. Our bullpen has been a patchwork operation for stretches this season, and Edwin Díaz has had well-documented struggles in the closer role recently, including multiple blown saves. Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia have shouldered heavy loads, and Evan Phillips has been a steady presence, but adding a healthy Treinen back into that mix changes the entire complexion of the late-inning picture. He’s the kind of arm that can slot in anywhere from the seventh inning on and make opposing lineups uncomfortable.

The timeline is still a bit fuzzy — we don’t have a specific date for a rehab assignment yet, and the club will almost certainly be cautious given the nature of elbow injuries. But Treinen sounding this confident is a good sign. He’s not hedging. He believes he can help, and frankly, we need him. With the stretch run approaching and the bullpen needing reinforcements, getting Treinen back healthy could be one of the more impactful “additions” we make down the road, no trade required.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: August 15, 2026 2:35 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers