Dave Roberts Explains Dodgers Rotation Plan Without Blake Snell

May 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Gomes, left, talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided some clarity on the team’s rotation after they moved Blake Snell to the injured list.

After just one start, the Dodgers retroactively added Snell to the 15-day IL, with activation in late May at the earliest.

He managed shoulder discomfort at the start of the year, hoping to avoid any injury coming up once he gets going.

However, despite the precaution, Snell’s elbow flared up with loose bodies, an injury that has become quite common this year, with teammate Edwin Diaz needing surgery for it.

May 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Gomes, left, talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Snell was scheduled to make a minor league appearance with Ontario before coming off the injury list. The Dodgers slotted him into a weekend start against the Atlanta Braves after Tyler Glasnow suffered an injury.

It was a rough start, but having him back on the mound felt like a checkmark for the team’s season priorities as they hoped for a notable contribution from the former Cy Young award winner.

Instead, the Dodgers are left without Snell and Tyler Glasnow, both of whom are on the injured list, and what looked to be a roster with an excess of starting pitching is now being pinched for spots.

May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

What will the Dodgers do without Snell and Glasnow?

Naturally, the idea of simply rolling out a five-person rotation and eliminating extra rest for their starters seems like a straightforward solution on its face.

Manager Dave Roberts, on the other hand, does not think pushing starters is necessary — the organization can rely on its depth in the arms to get by.

“Right now, I don’t know if we have six candidates (for the rotation),” Roberts said. “I think we’re prepared to do whatever we can. But I will say the most important thing is to keep the guys on their schedules, not try to push too much because of circumstances with the rotation, because then you start to compromise their health.

“So whether we backfill somehow or do bullpen days, we’re prepared to do whatever it takes.”

The current rotation involves Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki, and Emmet Sheehan.

With Ohtani being a two-way player, the Dodgers tend to give him extra rest, meaning bullpen days may be required during a consecutive run of games.

The Dodgers have enough talent and reliable arms to weather this storm for the regular season, but they will need a sharp Snell and Glasnow come October, and all hands need to be on deck so they are up and firing by then.