Treinen is competing with Trevor Gott and Sean Burnett for one or possibly two spots in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.
His power sinker allowed him to post a 3.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 65:32 K:BB in 67.2 innings last season and he was assumed to have a bullpen role locked up coming into spring training, but the club's decision to add non-roster invitee Matt Belisle to the 25-man roster could put Treinen's spot in jeopardy. Treinen and Gott both have minor league options remaining, which may become a factor if Burnett, another non-roster invitee, also gets a job. Treinen's enjoyed an excellent spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 8:1 K:BB in eight innings, so if it comes down to performance he should be safe.