With just over one week left in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still looking to secure the No. 2 seed in the National League postseason bracket and perhaps more importantly, get to a better state of health.
Edwin Díaz returned from the injured list on Friday, but the Dodgers are still waiting on the likes of Andy Pages, Dalton Rushing, Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani. Fortunately for L.A., there is optimism with that group, and Blake Snell as well after he came out his most recent start due to left groin tightness.
Dodgers updates
Blake Snell
Snell played catch from flat ground on Friday, getting out to 90 feet as signs point to avoiding the 15-day injured list.
“I’m very hopeful that he’ll make a start before the end of the season,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Snell has a history of missing roughly one month because of adductor/groin strains, but he and the team believe the latest issue did not advance to being that significant.
“Don’t know the answer exactly,” Roberts said when asked what may have caused the tightness, “but happy that we caught it early.”
If — or when — Snell does pitch again, Roberts indicated it would be a normal start rather than an abbreviated final tuneup before the postseason begins.
Andy Pages
After previously sharing the expectation is for Pages to return during the homestand, Roberts offered a slightly more concrete timeline by saying that should come during the Dodgers’ series against the San Diego Padres.
Dalton Rushing
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Rushing received a PRP injection in his right forearm.
Dalton Rushing got a PRP injection a week ago to address his flexor in his right arm. Still holding out hope he can be an option as a bat going forward — will hit off a machine in the coming days to test it out.
Surgery still doesn’t appear on the table yet.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 18, 2026
Rushing had a brief return at the start of September after going on the 10-day injured list last month because of a slight tear in the UCL of his right elbow. The Dodgers have suggested a best-case scenario is to have Rushing available as a pinch-hit option off the bench in the playoffs.
Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani took swings against a coach pitching in the batting cage and “came out of it well,” per Roberts. Although the superstar talent is making progress, Roberts said more clarity won’t come until Ohtani faces live pitching or hits off the Trajekt machine.
“But everything I’ve heard, it’s been a really productive last three to four to five days. He’s in a good spot,” Roberts added.
Roki Sasaki
Roberts further confirmed Sasaki is nearing a return and will start despite the prior plan being to shift him into a bullpen role. Some of the change is due to the uncertainty that arose from Snell’s groin trouble.
However, Sasaki still figures to be utilized as a reliever in the postseason if the Dodgers rotation remains healthy.
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