Blake Treinen appeared in just three games during the 2022 season before going on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder trouble.
The Los Angeles Dodgers initially believed Treinen would avoid the IL, then they anticipated the right-hander only being out for a minimal period of time. Treinen wound up missing six weeks, all the while he and the Dodgers were vague on the specifics of his shoulder injury.
After coming off the 60-day IL in September, Treinen revealed he had a tear in the capsule of his right shoulder. The injury was treated with a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, rest and a rehab program.
Although Treinen managed to return from the injury, there is a chance he will require surgery that would cost him most, if not the entire 2023 season, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Surgery is one of those options and would involve Treinen’s rotator cuff and labrum, a procedure that would require a 10-month recovery and could prevent him from pitching until late in the 2023 season if at all next year.
When sharing details of his shoulder injury, Treinen revealed Dr. Neal ElAttrache said season-ending surgery was required.
“My wife and I just felt the need to seek God and prayer, and see what his hand is in the recovery process,” Treinen said in September.
“Had some good friends of the family out in Colorado give us some insight of sometimes you’ve got to ask God how he wants to heal you, versus just being praying for something miraculous. Then went back and that’s when we had our conversations with Andrew (Friedman), and very grateful they were willing to see a benefit in both ways. So we agreed to do the rehab process.”
Treinen pitched in just two games during the final month of the season before going back on the 15-day IL. The shoulder injury prevented Treinen from appearing again until the National League Division Series.
Blake Treinen contract details
As Treinen was facing uncertainty with his future because of the right shoulder injury, the Dodgers signed him to a contract extension that includes a team option for 2024.
Prior to finalizing that agreement, the Dodgers held an $8 million team option and $1.5 million buyout on Treinen for 2023. Treinen’s new contract played a pivotal part in the 34-year-old bypassing shoulder surgery this year because of information gleaned from a physical.
“Come to find out the scarring had already happened. That gave me the miracle I needed. God had healed me over and given me some scarring in my capsule,” Treinen recalled. “I think it was to the surprise of people around that it happened so soon. So just confirmation that his hand was on it.
“From that point on, very blessed to have the guys that we have in here, organizationally, to get me stronger, keep my mind in the right place and challenging me to push through some stuff. Mark (Prior) has gone through some similar injuries in his career, and he was a huge help with me when it comes to trusting certain parts of the process.”
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