Dodgers put Blake Treinen on IL with forearm tightness, activate Evan Phillips

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dodgers got a key piece of their bullpen back – and lost another one for an uncertain amount of time.

Blake Treinen was placed on the injured list on Saturday with tightness in his right forearm. Evan Phillips was scheduled to make one more appearance on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City to complete his return from a shoulder injury last fall. Instead, he joined the Dodgers in Texas and was activated from the IL.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Treinen started feeling tightness in his forearm after his one-inning appearance against the Chicago Cubs last Sunday (during which he gave up a solo home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong but struck out the side). The Dodgers did not use Treinen during the three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, giving him four days to rest his arm.

But Treinen felt the same tightness in his forearm when he tried to warm up during Friday’s game in Texas.

Roberts said Treinen was going to get examined and have an MRI of his forearm Saturday to “get to the bottom of it.” Until the Dodgers get the result of that exam Treinen’s treatment plan and timeline for return are unknown.

“I appreciate Blake for letting us know his discomfort,” Roberts said.

“Not too concerned, given that he was still trying to pitch yesterday. But I think I just reserve judgment until we get more from the scan. But the level of concern is not too high right now.”

Phillips was scheduled to “do an up-down” for OKC on Saturday – pitching in parts of two innings – as the final box to check in his preparation to return.

“But we feel real confident that he’s ready to go,” Roberts said.

SNELL PROGRESS

Left-hander Blake Snell threw a bullpen session, approximately 30 pitches. It was his first time on a mound since he went on the IL with shoulder inflammation two weeks ago.

Snell said he felt good during the bullpen session and all of his throwing sessions. But “the pain lingers here and there,” usually when he first gets up in the morning.

“Hey – I’m 32 now, not 23,” he said.

“Once I get throwing, I’m good. … When I play catch, I don’t feel it. When I get out here, I’m good. It’s like when I wake up I gotta get it going.”

Snell said he expects to throw another bullpen session and at least a simulated game (if not a rehab assignment) before he would return to the Dodgers’ rotation.

“I just want to pitch,” he said. “Am I worried about it? No. I was worried about it when I went on the IL but not any more. It feels way better.”

KERSHAW SCHEDULE

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw said he is scheduled to make his second rehab start in the minor leagues on Tuesday. It is uncertain whether he will pitch for Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Oklahoma City, with weather the potential determining factor.

The OKC Comets will be in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, where the current forecast is for temperatures in the 60s with the potential to turn colder. The Drillers will be at home, where it is forecast to touch 80 on Tuesday.

Kershaw made his first rehab start for OKC on Wednesday and pitched three scoreless innings. He is not eligible to come off the 60-day IL until May 17.

ALSO

Dallas-area resident and unsigned free agent Brent Honeywell Jr. visited the Dodgers at Globe Life Field before Saturday’s game and was presented his 2024 World Series ring. “He got a little choked up,” Roberts said. “Guys said a couple nice things about him.”

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 1-0, 4.85 ERA) at Rangers (RHP Tyler Mahle, 3-0, 0.92 ERA), Sunday, 11:35 a.m. PT, SportsNet LA, 570 AM