The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen already had a crowded outlook heading into the 2024 season, and it was further muddied by manager Dave Roberts indicating the club intends to carry a trio of right-handers who are each coming off injury.
“I think the goal is to have them active,” Roberts answered when asked how likely Blake Treinen and J.P. Feyereisen are to be included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
“That’s the goal and I’m sure that’s what their goal is. Unless there’s something otherwise that happens, that’s kind of what we’re shooting for.”
He gave the same answer when posed the question about Daniel Hudson.
“Huddy looks great. If we have to slow play him, there’s no hard date,” Roberts said. “I think if anyone can appreciate that, Huddy can. He wants to be a part of this all the way through.”
Hudson returned at the end of last June from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in 2022, only to then sprain the MCL in his right knee after making just three appearances. There was the potential for Hudson to return in the playoffs if the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series.
The team declined their option on Hudson but he was re-signed to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
The Dodgers acquired Feyereisen prior to the 2023 season, which was not expected to pitch during due to his recovery from right shoulder surgery. He too has been among those to impress in camp thus far.
Treinen is looking to return from right shoulder surgery that prevented him from pitching for the Dodgers last season. He targeted a return late in the year but couldn’t get past lingering right shoulder discomfort while on a rehab assignment.
Prior to having shoulder surgery, the injury limited Treinen to just five appearances in 2022. The Dodgers exercised a team option on the veteran reliever for this season.
Thus far the early returns have been encouraging. “Blake was really good,” Roberts said of Treinen’s first time facing batters in Spring Training.
“I think with Blake, just kind of trying to get him to not chase velocity, is very important, I think. Movement equates to velocity. He had a lot of movement, late movement. The cutter, the breaking ball, the slider, sinker, were electric. His first live, it was incredible. Now just making sure he feels good and can do that in the next couple days as well.”
Dodgers bullpen outlook
If the Dodgers bullpen is to include Hudson, Feyereisen and Treinen, it suggests the group is already full if taking into account Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Joe Kelly and Ryan Brasier are likely part of the picture as well.
Vesia could potentially be optioned to the Minors, which may be necessary depending on the Dodgers’ plan for Ryan Yarbrough.
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