Dodgers’ Blake Snell Returning From IL Sooner Than Anticipated

Blake Snell will reportedly make his 2026 season debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday during the second game of the series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.

Snell, who has been sidelined since the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury, was initially scheduled to make his final rehab start with Single-A Ontario on Saturday. But after the Dodgers placed starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day injured list with back spasms on Friday, Snell will instead replace Glasnow in the rotation.

Snell made three minor-league rehab starts and built up to a four-inning start with Triple-A Oklahoma City last Sunday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Snell is expected to pitch five innings in his season debut on Saturday.

“[We asked] if he was open to taking the five innings here versus on rehab, and he couldn’t be more excited to do that,” Roberts said of Snell, per the California Post. “It just allows us to kick the can a little bit more with Glas.”

In his first season with the Dodgers in 2025, Snell posted a 2.35 ERA and 72 strikeouts across 11 starts. He also dealt with a shoulder injury last season that sidelined him for four months from April to August. The hope is that Snell will be able to remain healthy for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The Dodgers will have to demote a starter when Snell and Glasnow are back in the rotation. But Glasnow’s injury gives Los Angeles more time to figure out which six starting pitchers will remain in the rotation. Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki and Emmett Sheehan have been battling for the last two of six starting spots.

Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

The post Dodgers’ Blake Snell Returning From IL Sooner Than Anticipated appeared first on LA Sports Report.