Dodgers’ Blake Snell Returning From IL Sooner Than Anticipated

TL;DR

Blake Snell is set to make his 2026 season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, earlier than expected. He replaces Tyler Glasnow, who was placed on the injured list due to back spasms.

Key points

Blake Snell will debut for the Dodgers on Saturday
He replaces Tyler Glasnow, who is on the injured list
Snell has been recovering from a shoulder injury
He made three minor-league rehab starts
Snell is expected to pitch five innings

Blake SnellLos Angeles DodgersAtlanta BravesTyler Glasnow

Blake Snell will reportedly make his 2026 season debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday during the second game of the series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.

BREAKING: Blake Snell will reportedly pitch for the Dodgers on Saturday vs the Braves instead of making his schedule rehab start, per @ByJackHarris 🚨

Returning on your bobblehead night is so sick. pic.twitter.com/1sK3uo2jfe

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 8, 2026

Snell, who has been sidelined since the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury, was initially scheduled to make his final rehab start with Single-A Ontario on Saturday. But after the Dodgers placed starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day injured list with back spasms on Friday, Snell will instead replace Glasnow in the rotation.

Snell made three minor-league rehab starts and built up to a four-inning start with Triple-A Oklahoma City last Sunday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Snell is expected to pitch five innings in his season debut on Saturday.

“[We asked] if he was open to taking the five innings here versus on rehab, and he couldn’t be more excited to do that,” Roberts said of Snell, per the California Post. “It just allows us to kick the can a little bit more with Glas.”