Blake Michael Treinen (, born June 30, 1988) is an American professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
for the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
of
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
and
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
. He played
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...
for the
Baker Wildcats and the
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are the 19 intercollegiate teams representing South Dakota State University that compete in the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I (for football: Football Championship Subdivision). Sout ...
.
The Athletics selected Treinen in the seventh round of the
2011 MLB draft, though he would make his major league debut with the Nationals in 2014. He returned to the Athletics organization, where he was an
All-Star
An all-star team is a group of people all having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and has been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry.
Sports
"All-star" as a sport ...
in 2018, and then pitched for the Dodgers, where he was a part of the
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
and
2024 World Series
The 2024 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2024 Major League Baseball season, 2024 season. The 120th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (b ...
championship teams.
Amateur career
Treinen attended
Osage City High School in
Osage City, Kansas.
He played for the school's baseball team as a freshman, but quit during his sophomore year as he developed
prediabetes
Prediabetes is a component of metabolic syndrome and is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that fall below the threshold to diagnose diabetes mellitus. It usually does not cause symptoms, but people with prediabetes often have obesity ( ...
. He returned to the team in his junior year, with his
fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch (baseball), pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. Its distinctive feature is its high speed. "Power pitchers," such as former major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, relied on the ...
reaching a speed .
[
He enrolled at ]Baker University
Baker University is a private university in Baldwin City, Kansas, United States. Founded in 1858, it was the first four-year university in Kansas and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Baker University is made up of four schools. Th ...
, where he played college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...
for the Baker Wildcats in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) established in 1940, is a college athletics association for higher education, colleges and universities in North America. Most colleges and universities in the NAIA offer athletic schola ...
in 2007. He transferred to the University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas (U of A, UArk, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States. It is the Flagship campus, flagship campus of the University of Arkan ...
in 2008, but did not play for its baseball team. He attempted to walk on to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball
The University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and is coached by Dave Van Horn. The program started in 1897, and is in its 102nd seaso ...
team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...
(NCAA), but was denied the opportunity to try out. He began weight training
Strength training, also known as weight training or resistance training, is exercise designed to improve physical strength. It is often associated with the lifting of weights. It can also incorporate techniques such as bodyweight exercises ( ...
.
During Christmas break, Treinen participated in a baseball training camp led by Don Czyz, a retired Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...
pitcher. Czyz recommended Treinen to Ritchie Price, the head coach
A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...
of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball program of South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Brookings, South Dakota, United States. The program's first season was in 1947, and it has been a member of the N ...
team.[ Treinen transferred to ]South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University (SDSU or SD State) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota, United States. Founded in 1881, it is the state's largest university and is the sec ...
to continue his college baseball career with the Jackrabbits. He had to sit out 2009 due to the NCAA's rules on transfers. By the time he was able to pitch for the Jackrabbits, his fastball averaged . The Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...
selected Treinen in the 23rd round of the 2010 MLB draft
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.
First-round selections
The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team picking first.
;Key ...
. Though Treinen was willing to sign, an MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to generate pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes inside the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and rad ...
revealed shoulder inflammation, and the Marlins withdrew the offer.[
In 2011, his senior year, Treinen had a 7–3 ]win–loss record Win–loss may refer to:
* Win–loss analytics, analysis of the reasons why a visitor to a website was or wasn't persuaded to engage in a desired action
* Win–loss record, also winning percentage
* Win–loss record (pitching), the number of ...
and a 3.00 earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
(ERA). During the season, his fastball reached .[
]
Professional career
Oakland Athletics (2011–2012)
The Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
selected Treinen in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB draft. He signed with Oakland, receiving a $52,000 signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...
.[ Pitching for the ]Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Athletics. They are located in Stockton, California, and are named for the city's seaport. The team plays its home games at Banner I ...
of the Class A-Advanced
High-A, officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing, is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A and D ...
California League
The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leagu ...
in 2012, Treinen had a season he called "subpar" and "mediocre", in which he had a 4.37 ERA in 24 games pitched, 15 of which were starts.
Washington Nationals (2012–2017)
Before the 2013 season, the Athletics traded Treinen to the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
in a three-team deal, in which Washington also received A. J. Cole
Andrew Jordan Cole (born January 5, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto ...
and Ian Krol
Ian Albert Krol (born May 9, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Los Angele ...
, Oakland received John Jaso
John Edward Jaso (; born September 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Jaso mostly served as a designated hitter and catcher throughout his career, but had to stop catching due to concussion issues. He played in M ...
, and the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...
received Michael Morse
Michael John Morse (born March 22, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, first baseman and shortstop. Morse was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. ...
. With the Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a Minor League Baseball team who play in the Eastern League, and are the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The team is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and play their home games at FNB Field on Cit ...
of the Class AA
Double-A (officially Class AA) is the second-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946, below only Triple-A. There are currently 30 teams classified at the Double-A level, one for each team in Major League B ...
Eastern League, Treinen had a 3.64 ERA during the 2013 season.[
]
Major Leagues
The Nationals invited Treinen to spring training
Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...
in 2014, where he impressed Nationals' coaches. He began the season with the Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse most commonly refers to:
* Syracuse, Sicily, Italy; in the province of Syracuse
* Syracuse, New York, USA; in the Syracuse metropolitan area
Syracuse may also refer to:
Places
* Syracuse railway station (disambiguation)
Italy
* Provi ...
of the Class AAA
Triple-A (officially Class AAA) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL). ...
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...
, and was promoted to the major leagues on April 12. He earned his first career win on June 29, making a spot start against the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
and out-dueling Jeff Samardzija
Jeffrey Alan Samardzija (; born January 23, 1985), nicknamed "Shark", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball and football for the University of Notre Dame, and was recognized as a two-time football All-A ...
in a 7–2 win. During the 2014 Washington Nationals season
The 2014 Washington Nationals season was the Nationals' tenth season for the baseball franchise of Major League Baseball in the District of Columbia, the seventh season at Nationals Park, and the 46th since the original team was started in Mont ...
, Treinen appeared both as a starting pitcher and out of the bullpen, with his fastball clocked as high as . Splitting the season between the Nationals and the Chiefs, Treinen had a 2.49 ERA in 15 major league games and a 3.35 ERA in 16 minor league games.
For the 2015 season, Treinen started the year in the Nationals bullpen, with the off-season acquisition of Max Scherzer
Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984), nicknamed "Mad Max", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tige ...
creating a crowded rotation picture. Manager Matt Williams, dealing with injuries to his veteran relievers, began inserting Treinen into high-leverage, late-game situations in early April, occasionally setting up for closer Drew Storen
Drew Patrick Storen (born August 11, 1987) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.
The Nats sel ...
. He also reached with his sinker for the first time in his major league career during the first half of the season.
Treinen remained with the Nationals for much of the year, posting a 3.86 ERA with a 2–5 record with 65 strikeouts for the season. He was optioned back to Syracuse on June 20 after struggling with command for the first half of the season. Upon being recalled the next month, Treinen told ''The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' that being sent down "was probably the best thing that could have happened" in allowing him to work on his approach. However, even late into the season, Treinen was noted for struggling to retire left-handed batters, ultimately giving up the final run of the Nationals' season on a solo home run by left-hitting New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
outfielder Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981), nicknamed "the Grandyman", is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Ange ...
in a 1–0 loss to the eventual World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
losers on October 4.
In the Nationals' 2016 season, Treinen posted a 2.28 ERA on the year and narrowed his platoon splits versus left-handed hitting. He credited veteran teammate Matt Belisle
Matthew Thomas Belisle (beh-LYLE; born June 6, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twi ...
and the Nationals' new pitching coach, Mike Maddux
Michael Ausley Maddux (born August 27, 1961) is an American professional baseball coach and former pitcher. He is the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for nine teams, over 15 seasons, and coac ...
, for helping him improve his craft, while Maddux described Treinen's progress over the course of the season as "puppy dog to bulldog". Treinen led the National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
in groundballs induced with 65.9% on the season and ranked highly in inherited runners stranded and soft contact created, among other metrics. Treinen was frequently used in situations when another Nationals pitcher had allowed one or more baserunners and manager Dusty Baker
Johnnie B "Dusty" Baker Jr. (born June 15, 1949) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and Manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 19 seasons, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers. D ...
was seeking a double play ball, a role in which he excelled with his high-90s sinker. He remained with the Nationals for the entire year, working exclusively out of the bullpen, and made his first playoff appearance for the team, being credited with the win in Game 2 of the Division Series
The Division Series is the quarterfinal round of the Major League Baseball postseason. Four series are played in this round, two each for both the American League and the National League.
1981 season
The first use of the term "Division Series ...
against the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
and taking the loss in Game 4.
With the departure of Mark Melancon
Mark David Melancon ( ; born March 28, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, San Fr ...
to free agency, the Nationals named Treinen their closer
Closer or Closers may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Closer'' (2000 film), a documentary by Tina Gharavi
* ''Closer'' (2004 film), a 2004 adaptation of Patrick Marber's play (see below), directed by Mike Nichols
* ''The Closer'', a 1990 mo ...
for the 2017 season. On Opening Day, Treinen pitched a perfect inning in the top of the ninth against the Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...
with two strikeouts to end the game, earning the save, the second of his career. The Opening Day performance was the first and last clean inning Treinen pitched in April. He gave up an earned run while notching his second save of the season on April 5 against the Marlins before blowing a save against the same team the following day. After just a couple of weeks as the closer in which he posted a 7.11 ERA, Treinen was removed from the role in favor of Shawn Kelley
Shawn Andrew Kelley (born April 26, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners from 2009 to 2012, New York Yankees from 2013 to 2014, San Diego Padres in 2015, Wa ...
and later Koda Glover.
In June, Treinen's batting average on balls in play
In baseball statistics, batting average on balls in play (abbreviated BABIP) is a measurement of how often batted balls result in hits, excluding home runs. It can be expressed as, "when you hit the ball and it’s not a home run, what’s your b ...
against him gradually regressed toward his career norms. But with both Kelley and Glover on the disabled list, fellow setup men Enny Romero
Enny Manuel Romero Hernandez (born January 24, 1991) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and ...
and Matt Albers
Matthew James Albers (born January 20, 1983) is an Americans, American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indi ...
unavailable, and acting manager Chris Speier
Christopher Edward Speier (born June 28, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop, most notably for the San Francisco Giants and the Montreal Expos. He is known by the nickname ...
in need of a reliever to close out the ninth inning of a 4–2 game against the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
on June 29, Treinen was called upon for his first save opportunity since being demoted from the position of closer. He gave up three earned runs for a blown save as the Cubs came back to win 5–4.
Second stint with Athletics (2017–2019)
On July 16, 2017, the Nationals traded Treinen back to the Athletics, along with Sheldon Neuse
Sheldon Lynn Neuse ( ; born December 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, and in Nippon Profession ...
and Jesus Luzardo, for Sean Doolittle
Sean Robert Doolittle (born September 26, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. He won the 201 ...
and Ryan Madson
Ryan Michael Madson (born August 28, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles D ...
. At the time of the trade he was 0–2 with a 5.73 ERA and three out of five in save opportunities converted over 37 appearances. As the Athletics' closer, he converted 13 of 16 save opportunities after the trade. In early September, Treinen took three losses in a row, and was on the hook for a fourth, but the A's rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Houston Astros 9-8, and Treinen got the win instead. Treinen recorded 13 saves with the A's in 2017, including his last 12 opportunities in a row after blowing three of his first four.
In the first half of the 2018 season, Treinen had a 5–1 record with an 0.79 ERA and 23 saves. He was named an All-Star. He finished the season with a 9-2 record, 38 saves (3rd in the AL), and an 0.78 ERA.[
Treinen and the Athletics went into ]salary arbitration
Free agency in Major League Baseball (MLB) concerns players whose contracts with a team have expired and who are therefore eligible to sign with another team. Free agents may be eligible for pendulum arbitration, also called "salary arbitration" ...
before the 2019 season, and Treinen won, earning a $6.4 million salary for the season.
On June 21, 2019, Treinen was placed on the 10-day injured list with soreness in his right shoulder after an appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he gave up three runs without recording an out. He was activated on July 3, after which he ceded the role of closer to Liam Hendriks
Liam Johnson Hendriks (born 10 February 1989) is an Australian professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, ...
.
In 2019 he was 6-5 in 57 relief appearances with 16 saves and a 4.91 ERA, as he struck out 59 batters in 58.2 innings. On December 2, Treinen was non-tendered by Oakland and became a free agent.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2020–present)
On December 15, 2019, Treinen signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
. The start of the 2020 season was delayed to late July by the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, but Treinen appeared in 27 games for the Dodgers (3rd in the NL), with a 3–3 record with one save and a 3.86 ERA. In the postseason, he pitched one inning in the Wild Card series
The Wild Card Series (formerly known as Wild Card Game from 2012 to 2019 and in 2021) are games that serve as the opening round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason. A single wild card game was instituted in 2012. This became a best ...
, innings in the 2020 NLDS, innings in the 2020 NLCS
The 2020 National League Championship Series was the best-of-seven series in Major League Baseball’s 2020 postseason between the two National League Division Series winners, the second-seeded Atlanta Braves and the overall #1 seed Los Angeles ...
and innings in the 2020 World Series
The 2020 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's 2020 season. The 116th World Series was a best-of-seven-playoff between the American League (AL) champion Tampa Bay Rays and the National League (NL) champion Los An ...
, allowing six total runs and picking up a save in Game 5 of the World Series. The Dodgers won the championship in six games[ After the season, the Dodgers re-signed Treinen to a two-year, $17.5 million contract, which also included a team option for a third year.
Treinen pitched in 72 games for the Dodgers in 2021, with a 1.99 ERA, a 6–5 record, seven saves, 85 strikeouts and an MLB-leading 32 holds.][ In the playoffs, he pitched scoreless innings in the ]Wild Card Game
The Wild Card Series (formerly known as Wild Card Game from 2012 to 2019 and in 2021) are games that serve as the opening round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason. A single wild card game was instituted in 2012. This became a best ...
, allowed one run on one hit with five strikeouts in innings in the 2021 NLDS
The 2021 National League Division Series were two best-of-five-games series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2021 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners, seeded first through th ...
and one run on three hits in innings in the 2021 NLCS.[ He came down with a sore shoulder early in the 2022 season which shut him down for the first half of the season. Despite the injury, the Dodgers announced on May 22 that they had signed him to a one-year, $8 million, extension covering the 2023 season and included a conditional option for 2024. He pitched in five games for the Dodgers, allowing one run in five innings][ while spending most of the season on the injured list, returning from his original injury only to quickly wind up going back on the list.
On November 11, 2022, Treinen underwent right shoulder labrum and rotator cuff repair surgery, with an estimated 10 month recovery. He was expected to return for the start of the 2024 season but suffered a bruised lung in ]spring training
Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...
and began the season on the injured list. After a rehab assignment in the minors, Treinen was activated by the Dodgers on May 5. He wound up pitching innings in 50 games, with a 7–3 record, 1.93 ERA and 56 strikeouts.[ He pitched scoreless innings with two saves in the ]2024 NLDS
The 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS) were two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2024 Major League Baseball postseason, 2024 postseason to determine the participating teams of the 2024 National League Champion ...
, allowed one run in innings in the 2024 NLCS
The 2024 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff in Major League Baseball's 2024 Major League Baseball postseason, 2024 postseason. It matched the overall #1 seed Los Angeles Dodgers against the sixth-seeded New York Mets ...
and allowed two runs in innings in the 2024 World Series
The 2024 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2024 Major League Baseball season, 2024 season. The 120th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (b ...
.[
On December 10, 2024, Treinen signed a two-year, $22 million contract to remain with the Dodgers. On April 19, 2025, Treinen was placed on the injured list due to forearm tightness; he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 1.
]
Personal life
Treinen is married to Kati Treinen and owns a bulldog named Maxx "C". They have four children and live in Walla Walla, Washington
Walla Walla ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Walla Walla County, Washington, United States. It had a population of 34,060 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, estimated to have decreased to 33,339 as of 2023. The combined populat ...
, where Kati is an assistant women's basketball coach at Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC), often referred to as just "CC" locally, is a multi-campus community college in southeastern Washington state.
History
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) was established in 1967 by Peter Dietrich in respo ...
. He is a devout Roman Catholic Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
.
In 2023, Treinen criticized the Dodgers organization for including the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI), also called Order of Perpetual Indulgence (OPI), is a charitable, protest, and street performance movement that uses drag and religious imagery to satirize issues of sex, gender, and morality (particular ...
, an LGBT charity, in their annual Pride Night event, saying that it "disenfranchises a large community and promotes hate of Christians and people of faith."
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Treinen, Blake
1988 births
Living people
American League All-Stars
Arizona Complex League Dodgers players
Arizona League Athletics players
Auburn Doubledays players
Baker Wildcats baseball players
Baseball players from Kansas
Burlington Bees players
Christians from Kansas
Harrisburg Senators players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Oakland Athletics players
Oklahoma City Baseball Club players
Oklahoma City Dodgers players
People from Osage City, Kansas
South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball players
Stockton Ports players
Syracuse Chiefs players
Tulsa Drillers players
Washington Nationals players
21st-century American sportsmen