Treinen’s stuff still sharp
Scott Emerson, the A’s pitching coach, knew Blake Treinen when he was a starter in Oakland’s minor-league system, so Emerson had followed the right-hander’s career with the Nationals.
“A lot of guys in this game have told me, ‘Blake Treinen has the best stuff in majorleague baseball,’ ” Emerson said Monday, mentioning former A’s and Washington reliever Tyler Clippard as one of the sources. “He’s got one of the best sinkers in the game. We’ve just got to get him to fulfill his potential.”
Treinen, one of three players acquired from Washington on Sunday for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, has had a tough time getting on track this season, with a 5.73 ERA following an excellent 2016 season in which he put up a 2.28 ERA. First batters faced have been an issue, batting .371.
“I think a change of scenery always feels like a fresh start,” said Treinen, who joined the A’s on Monday. “It can definitely change an outlook on a season. There were some struggles over in D.C. performance-wise, but stuff-wise, I feel I’m still there. I’m going to be able to contribute here and hopefully help these guys win games.”
Manager Bob Melvin said Treinen will be in the mix as a setup man for closer Santiago Casilla.
“I think a change of scenery always helps when you’re having a difficult time,” Melvin said, citing Stephen Vogt’s turnaround with Milwaukee after a slow start in Oakland. “It just seems like the baggage comes off.”
Treinen, 29, is leaving a first-place club for a last-place team that’s in a rebuilding phase, but he is enthusiastic about coming back to the team that drafted him in the 23rd round in 2010.
“This is where it started. I was drafted by these guys,” he said. “It’s exciting. It’s a new chapter.” Briefly: Chad Pinder (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday and could rejoin the A’s on the next homestand ... Reliever Ryan Dull (knee) could rejoin the A’s in a week or so . ... Reliever Bobby Wahl (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment Thursday at Class A Stockton.