A's Place Star Closer Blake Treinen on 10-Day IL

Just days after losing breakout starter Frankie Montas thanks to a PED suspension, the Oakland Athletics lost yet another key contributor when closer Blake Treinen injured his rotator cuff.

The A's placed the 2018 All-Star on the 10-Day IL with a mild rotator cuff strain. It's unclear who will be given the ninth inning while Treinen is on the mend, though optics would suggest that Liam Hendriks is the most viable candidate.

After being acquired from the Washington Nationals in the deal that sent Sean Doolittle to DC, Treinen has established himself as an elite closer thanks to his almost un-hittable stuff. Possessing a sinker that moves like a curveball but can reach 100 mph, Treinen went 9-2 with a 0.78 ERA in 2018, striking out 100 in 80.1 innings while making his first All-Star team.

2019 has been rough sledding for Treinen to this point. After only walking 21 in 80.1 innings last year, he's already walked 21 batters in just 35.1 innings in 2019. As a result of this, his ERA has ballooned to 4.08.

Treinen, who had gone on the IL with elbow discomfort in May, has not been the same pitcher since his injury.

While Treinen looks to rediscover his old form during his stint on the shelf, the A's need to hang on for dear life until he gets back, as they lost their two best pitchers for the foreseeable future in Montas and Treinen.