The Athletics have lost a power arm from their bullpen for the rest of the year.
Blake Treinen has been ruled out for at least the rest of the regular season, manager Bob Melvin told reporters Wednesday.
Bob Melvin confirms Chris Bassitt has been moved to the bullpen, in part because Blake Treinen is out for (at least) the regular season with a back issue. #Athletics
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) September 18, 2019
Chris Bassitt has been moved to the bullpen to make up for the loss.
Treinen, 31, was one of MLB's best closers in 2018 recording 38 saves in 43 opportunities while striking out 100 batters in 80 1/3 innings.
But in 2019 he has been derailed by bad performance and injuries. He went on the IL in June with a rotator cuff strain and has been out for the better part of the last week with the current back issue.
He has posted a 6-5 record with a 4.91 ERA with 16 saves in 21 appearances and was replaced by Liam Hendriks as Oakland's closer midway through the season.
While Hendricks has been stellar and is ready to make up for Treinen's absence, the righty will certainly be missed down the stretch.