Dodgers place closer Phillips on IL, get Treinen back

LOS ANGELES -- The good news for the Dodgers Sunday morning was that right-hander Blake Treinen was ready to come off the injured list for the first time since the 2022 season.

The bad news, however, was that Treinen was replacing Evan Phillips on the active roster, as the Dodgers’ closer landed on the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to May 4.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Phillips suffered the injury while playing catch before Saturday’s game. On his last throw, Phillips caught a spike and felt some tightness on the hamstring. A scan later revealed that it was a Grade 1 strain.

“Very benign,” Roberts added. “So putting him on the IL, just feel that it shouldn’t be long and the hope is that once his stint is up, he’ll be back and ready to go.”

Phillips, of course, is a massive piece of the Dodgers’ bullpen. The right-hander has a 0.66 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this season and has converted all eight of his save opportunities. Filling in the void for the ninth inning won’t be an easy task for the Dodgers, but they believe they have the pieces to do it for at least a couple of weeks. Phillips will be eligible to come off the injured list on May 19.

Joe Kelly and Daniel Hudson are the two most likely options for save opportunities in Phillips' absence. Treinen could also get a look in the ninth, though the Dodgers will continue to be mindful that he hasn’t pitched in a Major League game in a few years. Alex Vesia, who has been a solid piece to the bullpen over the last few weeks, could also get a look, particularly against a left-handed heavy lineup.

“It’s certainly unfortunate,” Roberts said of Phillips’ injury. “You’re frustrated for the players. As far as us, it’s kind of the next man up and gives opportunity to someone else. In this case, obviously Blake was gonna be back anyway, but it sort of keeps another player around for an opportunity.”

Before a right shoulder injury wiped him out for a few seasons, Treinen was one of the most dominant relievers in the Majors. In ‘21, Treinen finished with a 1.99 ERA over 72 appearances with the Dodgers. This spring, Treinen was fully healthy from the right shoulder injury and showed flashes of that same quality.

Then in his last Cactus League outing this spring, Treinen was hit by a comebacker and suffered a few broken ribs. That forced him to miss the first month of the season.

“It’s great having him back,” Roberts said. “It was a long road in the sense of the anticipation, the arm feeling good and feeling like you’re going to break with the team to then take that ball off the ribs. … He’s excited. I’m sure there’s going to be some nerves.”