Blake Snell is inching closer to rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, and the timing couldn’t be better for a club looking to solidify its pitching staff as the second half of the season approaches. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, who has been sidelined for a significant stretch with left adductor tightness and a prior bout of shoulder discomfort, is now showing real signs of progress, generating buzz around the organization and igniting optimism among fans.
Snell’s road back has been a rocky one. After signing a two-year, $62 million deal with the Dodgers in March — a late addition to an already star-studded pitching staff — the southpaw made only a handful of starts before landing on the injured list in April. His initial outings were far from vintage Snell, as command issues and physical discomfort kept him from reaching his dominant form. However, recent developments suggest that his return is not only on the horizon, but could significantly impact the Dodgers’ playoff push.
Over the past week, Snell has ramped up his rehab work, throwing multiple bullpen sessions without setbacks. His velocity is reportedly trending upward, and more importantly, his secondary pitches — particularly the curveball and changeup — are beginning to regain the sharpness that made him such a nightmare for hitters last season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed measured optimism, noting that Snell is “moving in the right direction” and that the team is hopeful he could begin a minor league rehab assignment soon.
The Dodgers have managed to weather a series of injuries to their rotation thanks to the emergence of young arms like Gavin Stone and Justin Wrobleski, as well as the consistency of Yoshinobu Yamamoto before his recent trip to the IL. However, the toll of the season is beginning to show, and the front office knows that a healthy Blake Snell could be a game-changer. Snell, when right, is one of the few pitchers in baseball with the ability to dominate any lineup on any given night. His 2023 campaign with the Padres — in which he posted a 2.25 ERA and led the NL in ERA+ — is a reminder of just how lethal he can be.
Snell’s return would also help take pressure off the bullpen, which has been heavily leaned on due to shortened starts and rotation instability. His ability to go deep into games, mix pitches effectively, and miss bats at an elite rate is precisely what the Dodgers envisioned when they brought him on board. The question now isn’t whether Snell will return, but when — and in what form.
Internally, the Dodgers are preparing for a late-July return if all continues to go well. That timeline would give Snell a few tune-up starts before the postseason stretch run, allowing him to build back endurance and rhythm. There’s also consideration being given to pairing his starts with a rested bullpen or a tandem starter approach initially, easing him back in while maximizing his effectiveness.
Fans will be eager to see Snell back in Dodger Blue, especially given how brief his initial stint was. The idea of a fully healthy rotation featuring Snell, Yamamoto, Bobby Miller, and Tyler Glasnow is tantalizing, and it speaks to just how high the ceiling remains for this year’s Dodgers team. In a season where expectations are championship or bust, getting an arm like Snell’s back into the mix is as crucial as any midseason trade acquisition.
Off the field, Snell has remained engaged with the team, often seen in the dugout offering support to teammates and staying active in strategy sessions. His presence has been felt even in his absence, but nothing will match the lift he can give this club on the mound.
The upcoming rehab assignment — if all green lights continue — will be the next critical test. Snell will need to show not just physical readiness, but command and poise on the mound. The Dodgers will be cautious, mindful of reinjury, but they also know the calendar is turning, and the postseason race waits for no one.
One under-discussed aspect of Snell’s return is the strategic leverage it could give the Dodgers heading into the trade deadline. If Snell returns strong, it may reduce the urgency to add another frontline starter, allowing the club to pivot resources toward bullpen depth or even position player upgrades. On the flip side, a setback could thrust the front office into more aggressive talks with potential trade partners.
Regardless, the mere possibility of Blake Snell returning to full strength adds a layer of intrigue to the Dodgers’ midseason narrative. In a year where stars like Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman have carried the lineup, the idea of adding a Cy Young-caliber pitcher back into the rotation could tilt the balance of power in the National League.
As always, health is the great variable. The Dodgers have invested heavily in both upside and durability this season, and getting Snell back could validate much of that investment. For Snell, it’s a chance to finally show what he can do on the biggest stage in baseball — wearing one of the sport’s most iconic jerseys.
If the progress holds and rehab assignments go smoothly, expect Snell to be back in Dodger Stadium sometime in late July or early August. And when that happens, don’t be surprised if the entire dynamic of the NL West — and the postseason picture — shifts in a major way.
For now, the Dodgers — and their fans — will continue to monitor every bullpen session, every throwing progression, and every update with anticipation. Because when Blake Snell is locked in, he’s not just a pitcher. He’s a weapon. And for a team with its sights set on October glory, that’s the kind of firepower that can make all the difference.
