LOS ANGELES, California — The Dodgers just earned a 4–3 victory over the San Francisco Giants, but the price they paid could directly affect Dave Roberts’ bullpen plans with the postseason approaching.
Blake Treinen was warming up in the bullpen during the seventh inning when his right shoulder suddenly flared up again, forcing the 38-year-old veteran to stop and leave the area with the medical staff.
Roberts later confirmed that Treinen will most likely have to go on the injured list, effectively bringing the season of one of the Dodgers’ most experienced October relievers to an end.
The pitcher called upon to replace him in that moment was Brock Stewart, who could now be facing an opportunity to take on a significantly larger responsibility in the Los Angeles bullpen.
The change comes at a particularly sensitive time as the Dodgers prepare to build their pitching plan for games that could determine their World Series journey.
Treinen has long been one of Roberts’ trusted options in high-leverage situations, particularly because of the experience he has accumulated through multiple postseason campaigns.
Losing an arm like that does not simply leave the Dodgers without one reliever. It creates a hole in the way Roberts distributes the most important innings.
Stewart therefore becomes one of the most notable names following the incident at Oracle Park.
The right-hander began his MLB career with the Dodgers, making his debut in 2016 and being used in both the rotation and bullpen before his journey took him through multiple organizations.
After years of dealing with injuries and periods of inconsistency, Stewart rebuilt his career to become a bullpen option capable of handling high-pressure situations.
During his MLB career, he has accumulated experience across multiple seasons and has pitched for the Dodgers, Twins and several other organizations, making adaptability an important part of his journey.
Now, his biggest opportunity could arrive at exactly the moment the Dodgers need him most.
In the scenario built around this situation, Stewart expressed his determination to step in for his teammate with a powerful message to Dodgers Nation.
“Blake is someone all of us respect, and nobody wants an opportunity to come this way. But if the team needs me to step up, I’ll be ready. I’ll fight with everything I have for him, for this clubhouse and for Los Angeles. The goal hasn’t changed. We want to bring the World Series home.”
That will be the mentality the Dodgers need, because the void left by Treinen cannot be filled by just one pitcher.
Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott are also expected to receive
