The Dodgers trusted him in the biggest moments.
Now, just days before Opening Day… even Dave Roberts can’t hide the concern.
Dodgers Face Alarming Reality — Blake Treinen’s Confidence Collapse Raises Red Flags Before Opening Day
LOS ANGELES — This wasn’t supposed to be a question.
Blake Treinen was supposed to be a solution.
A veteran arm.
A proven reliever.
A pitcher who had delivered in the biggest moments.
But now, with the 2026 season approaching fast…
Something feels off.
And for the first time, the concern isn’t just about performance.
It’s about confidence.
“I Don’t See Confidence” — Roberts Drops a Blunt Assessment
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I don’t see confidence.”
That single sentence changed the tone around Treinen instantly.
Because in baseball, mechanics can be fixed.
But confidence?
That’s harder.
And according to Roberts, it’s missing.
A Spring That’s Raising Alarms
The numbers tell part of the story.
Through six Cactus League appearances:
- 10.80 ERA
- 2.60 WHIP
- More walks (6) than strikeouts (4) in just 5 innings
But stats don’t capture what’s really happening.
Because this isn’t just inconsistency.
It’s instability.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The turning point came in a brutal outing against the Brewers.
Treinen entered with two runners on base.
What followed?
- Hit batter
- Immediate grand slam allowed
Just like that…
The game slipped.
And so did the confidence.
A Veteran Suddenly Searching for Answers
This is the same pitcher who once thrived under pressure.
A reliever trusted in high-stakes situations.
A key piece of the Dodgers’ bullpen identity.
Now?
He’s fighting something far less visible.
Execution issues.
Command problems.
And, most concerning — hesitation.
“No Conviction” — The Deeper Problem
Roberts pointed to something more subtle, but more serious:
“There’s no conviction.”
That means:
- Pitches aren’t being thrown with intent
- Decisions aren’t being trusted
- Doubt is creeping into every delivery
And at the MLB level, hesitation gets punished instantly.
Last Season’s Struggles Still Linger
This didn’t start in spring.
Treinen’s 2025 season already raised concerns:
- 5.40 ERA
- 1.84 WHIP
- Career-worst 6.4 walks per nine innings
Injuries disrupted his rhythm.
Consistency never returned.
And now, those issues appear to be carrying over.
Health Isn’t the Issue — Which Makes It Worse
Here’s what makes this situation more unsettling:
Treinen is healthy.
No restrictions.
No lingering injury concerns.
And yet, the results haven’t improved.
Which raises a difficult question:
If it’s not physical… what is it?
A Race Against Time
The Dodgers don’t have the luxury of waiting.
Treinen likely has one or two more outings before Opening Day.
That’s it.
No long adjustment period.
No extended reset.
Just a narrow window to prove he’s ready.
Still Belief — But Growing Urgency
Despite the struggles, Roberts hasn’t given up.
“He’s done so much for us… he’s been dependable.”
That history matters.
But baseball is unforgiving.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee present results.
Treinen’s Own Confidence — A Different Story
Interestingly, Treinen himself doesn’t seem shaken.
Earlier this spring, he insisted:
He still believes he can pitch at a high level.
And Roberts has echoed that belief in the past:
“There’s a lot in the tank.”
But belief alone isn’t enough.
Not when results say otherwise.
A Bullpen Question No One Expected
Coming into 2026, the Dodgers’ bullpen wasn’t supposed to be a concern.
Now?
One of its most trusted arms has become a question mark.
And not just any question.
A critical one.
What Happens If He Doesn’t Turn It Around?
If Treinen can’t rediscover his form quickly:
- Roles may shift
- Pressure will increase on other relievers
- The bullpen’s reliability could take a hit early
For a team with championship expectations…
That’s a dangerous situation.
One Final Thought
Blake Treinen has proven who he is.
But right now, that version of him hasn’t shown up.
And with Opening Day closing in…
The Dodgers aren’t just waiting for results.
They’re waiting for belief to return.
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