Dodgers Reliever Blake Treinen Nears Return After Rehab

Blake Treinen is set to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen this weekend after completing his rehab assignment from a forearm injury that sidelined him since mid-April. While he won't be assigned as the dedicated closer, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts plans to use Treinen in the highest-leverage situations given the current instability in the bullpen caused by injuries to closer Tanner Scott and others. Treinen, a veteran reliever with a strong track record including a recent two-year extension, has been performing well in rehab and is expected to bolster a bullpen that has been decimated by injuries this season. Other bullpen options like Alexis Diaz and Kirby Yates have struggled to fill the closer role effectively, making Treinen's return crucial for the Dodgers' late-game pitching strategy. The team continues to rely on matchup-based assignments for the closer role rather than a fixed ninth-inning pitcher. Treinen's activation could provide much-needed stability as the Dodgers approach the trade deadline and seek to maintain competitive momentum.