Snell's Rehab: Dodgers' Cy Young Winner Nears Return

Los Angeles Dodgers' pitcher Blake Snell is preparing for his return to the rotation, beginning a rehab assignment on Wednesday, April 23, 2026. Snell, a two-time Cy Young award recipient, must complete three to four starts to prove his readiness. This upcoming activation poses a challenge for the Dodgers as they contemplate who to remove from their current six-man pitching unit. Justin Wrobleski, despite a strong performance with a 1.88 ERA, is the most likely candidate for reassignment. However, young pitchers Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki are also struggling with high ERAs, making them less effective in providing bullpen support. The Dodgers aim for their pitchers to pitch deeper into games. This decision point is on hold until Snell is medically cleared and ready to rejoin the team, which is anticipated sometime in May, barring any setbacks.

Snell commenced the 2026 season on the injured list due to shoulder fatigue, a recurrence of issues from his previous year with the Dodgers. After only two starts in 2025, he experienced left shoulder inflammation and was sidelined for an extended period. Reflecting on his past, Snell acknowledged eagerness to debut last season when his body was not fully prepared. This year, he adopted a more conservative offseason and spring training regimen to ensure adequate rest and recovery. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Snell is on track, praising the team's methodical and conservative approach to his rehabilitation process.