ARLINGTON -- The Dodgers got a high-leverage reliever back in Evan Phillips, but lost another in Blake Treinen ahead of Saturday afternoon's game against the Rangers.
Treinen was placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tightness, while Phillips was activated after completing his rehab from the right rotator cuff strain that also kept him off last year's World Series roster.
Manager Dave Roberts said imaging on Treinen's forearm revealed a low-grade sprain. He will return to L.A. for further evaluation, but the Dodgers are only expecting him to need rest and rehab for now. There is no timeline for Treinen's return.
Treinen had not pitched since April 13, after which he first reported feeling some tightness. The team stayed away from using him in the following days, and it had started to feel better until Treinen began warming up during Friday's 3-0 win over the Rangers.
"He was one hitter away as he was warming up to go into the game," Roberts said Sunday. "Obviously, if he were to pitch, it could have been potentially worse. So I would say we're in the dodged-a-bullet category."
Through eight appearances in 2025, Treinen was 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA and two saves. He was a part of last year's championship team, then re-signed with the Dodgers on a two-year, $22 million deal this past offseason.
It will be some time until the Dodgers' bullpen is truly back at full strength, as Treinen joins right-hander Michael Kopech on the IL. But having Phillips back in action gives the team another back-end option who could close out games.
Phillips faced three batters and struck out two of them in his season debut in Saturday¡¯s loss. He had initially been scheduled for one last outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, in which he would check the last box of his rehab assignment by doing an up-down.
But with Treinen going on the IL and inclement weather expected in Oklahoma City, the Dodgers figured that now was as good a time as any to bring Phillips back. He made six rehab appearances with the Comets, going on back-to-back days in his last two outings.
"We feel real confident that he's ready to go," Roberts said.