Blake Snell will reportedly make his season debut on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, according to the California Post.
Saturday, which also happens to be “Blake Snell bobblehead day.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers lefty last pitched in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Snell was dealing with discomfort in his throwing shoulder, an issue that saw him miss four months of action last season.
Snell, 33, has made three rehab starts as he built up in preparation for his MLB return, throwing a total of four innings and striking out 10 batters.
Beginning the season with the Dodgers was unlikely for Snell as the offseason went on. Manager Dave Roberts said at the end of February that the two-time Cy Young Award winner had not even thrown from a mound yet and that the odds of him being on the Opening Day roster was “probably zero.”
The Dodgers were fine with Snell being patient in getting back to 100% after signing him to a five-year, $182 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.
In 11 regular season starts last year, Snell went 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. He made six postseason appearances and recorded 41 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 34 innings.
As Snell is set to return to the rotation, it remains to be seen what the Dodgers’ plans are for Tyler Glasnow. The right-hander left Wednesday start against the Houston Astros early with a back injury. It’s unclear if he’s headed for a stint on the injured list.
