The Los Angeles Dodgers got some good news on Wednesday evening as Blake Snell made his first rehab start since going on the IL before the season with shoulder soreness.
While the outing wasn’t great, Snell told Katie Woo of The Athletic on Thursday that he’s feeling good, and the left-hander laid out what the Dodgers’ plan is for him before ultimately returning to the big league rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Plan For Blake Snell’s Return
Getty Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
As Dave Roberts pointed out earlier in the week, the goal for Snell in his first rehab outing was to throw three innings. But that didn’t happen, as the former Cy Young winner lasted just one inning for Single-A Ontario.
He allowed two runs (one earned) and was chased before recording a single out in the second inning. Snell threw 32 pitches, with 21 finding the strike zone. He also had to pitch out of trouble in the first after allowing a single and walking two batters as well.
In fairness to Snell, his defense also made two errors in his second inning of work. Every runner reached base in that frame before he departed.
The Dodgers want Snell to build up to five innings and 75 pitches before even remotely considering his return to the Majors. That does make sense, however, as Snell hasn’t pitched more than two innings so far in 2026, and those innings were strictly live BP.
Being Smart With Snell’s Rehab
GettyBlake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout after being removed from the game during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Snell has openly said he pitched through shoulder discomfort for a lot of last season, and that injury limited him to 11 regular-season starts. Nevertheless, Snell compiled a 2.35 ERA and was also key en route to the World Series title, making six playoff appearances and posting a 3.18 ERA.
Considering Snell threw only 32 pitches in his first start, the Dodgers plan to have him make another three appearances in the minors before determining when he’s ready to be back in the mix.
Being cautious is absolutely the right move, too. When healthy, Snell is still one of the most dominant starters in the sport, and it’s a big reason Los Angeles signed him to a massive five-year, $182 million deal two winters ago.
When Snell is ready to go again, Roberts will have some decisions to make regarding the rotation. Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Snell are locks, but Justin Wrobleski continues to make a real case for that fifth spot as he continues to throw the ball well.
That’s a problem for later, but it’s a good one to have for the Dodgers. Snell’s next start is expected sometime next week.
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