In Phoenix this February, Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott are preparing to revitalize the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen ahead of the 2026 MLB season. After a difficult 2025 marked by injuries and inconsistent performances, the Dodgers are emphasizing a fresh start and focusing on growth rather than dwelling on last year’s setbacks.
The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled significantly last season, recording the 10th-highest ERA in Major League Baseball and squandering the 10th-most saves league-wide, jeopardizing the team’s championship defense. Treinen and Scott, once trusted veterans, faced challenges due to elbow injuries that affected their effectiveness and roles.
Veteran Relievers Struggled Amid Injury and Performance Issues
Blake Treinen experienced a career-worst 5.40 ERA last year, missing over three months due to an elbow injury. Tanner Scott, similarly battling elbow troubles, posted a 4.74 ERA and lost his closer role after converting just 23 of 33 save opportunities. Their difficulties forced the Dodgers to rely heavily on their starting rotation during the playoffs and prompted emergency use of rookie Roki Sasaki as a closer.
Despite these challenges, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in an improved bullpen lineup this season. He pointed out that while the arrival of new closer Edwin Díaz should stabilize the late innings, the resurgence of Treinen and Scott is equally crucial for the team’s overall success.
Focused Adjustments Aim to Enhance Consistency and Control
Scott has committed to addressing his command issues by working closely with pitching coaches Connor McGuiness and Mark Prior throughout spring training. One major problem last year was his vulnerability in the middle of the strike zone, which led to 11 home runs allowed—tied for ninth among all MLB relievers. Scott views this spring as more of a measured process compared to the rushed preparation last year in Japan, aiming to solidify changes in his pitching mechanics.
During his spring debut, Scott managed a scoreless inning, successfully locating pitches along the zone edges. He emphasized the importance of the delivery in his approach, saying,
“(I’m) just making sure my stuff is playing exactly how I want it to be. Everything starts with delivery.”
Treinen’s focus is on recalibrating his signature sweeper pitch, which last season lost some of its usual bite, resulting in fewer swings and misses. Observers suspected a slight change in his arm angle contributed to this decline. Encouragingly, Treinen’s first spring appearance was strong, delivering a scoreless inning with two strikeouts, including one with his sweeper. Reflecting on his performance, he said,
“Last game was great, results-wise. There’s still a lot to improve on. But that’s good, when I feel like I was OK but the results were good.”
Additional Bullpen Arms Poised to Contribute This Season
Beyond Treinen and Scott, the Dodgers bullpen also counts on Alex Vesia as a prominent left-handed option. Jack Dreyer is expected to build on his rookie achievements, while Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips, and Brusdar Graterol anticipate returns from injuries. Graterol’s status remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a shoulder issue that sidelined him throughout 2025.
Younger pitchers Ben Casparius, Will Klein, and Edgardo Henriquez are competing for depth roles. Henriquez has shown some inconsistency during spring outings, struggling with pitch command. Nonetheless, the team considers its relief options versatile and deep.
Scott praised the bullpen’s overall talent pool, stating,
“I mean, our whole lineup is stacked. Anyone can pitch in any spot.”
Experience and Fresh Talent Combine to Shape a Strong Relief Core
While Edwin Díaz provides the Dodgers with proven closing prowess, Treinen and Scott’s history and experience remain invaluable as the team aims to rebound from the previous season’s bullpen failures. Their approach is rooted in leaving last year behind, focusing on new opportunities and improvements in 2026.
Reinforcing this mindset, Treinen affirmed,
“Nobody in this organization, in the seven years I’ve been here, has ever focused on negatives. Some teams might be like, ‘I can’t act like I did last year. I can’t do what I did last year.’ But we’re not gonna live in the past. Nobody lives in the past.”
Meanwhile, Scott expressed a similar sentiment:
“Wash it, flush it like a toilet, and just let it be. Wasn’t that great last year. But it’s a new year.”
Outlook for the Dodgers’ Bullpen and Season Ahead
The revival of the Dodgers’ bullpen is critical to the team’s goal of defending its championship and returning to postseason dominance. If Treinen and Scott can regain their form and maintain health, the bullpen will gain valuable stability and flexibility, especially with Díaz anchoring the closer role.
With strategic adjustments and a positive mentality, the Dodgers appear poised to transform their relief pitching into a strength for the upcoming season. This renewed bullpen depth will allow manager Dave Roberts more options to manage matchups effectively and protect leads throughout the 2026 campaign.
