The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their first major loss on the pitching staff this season with Edwin Díaz not expected to return from right elbow surgery until some time after the All-Star break.
On the other hand, Blake Snell has entered the final stage of his rehab process and is nearing a return to the active roster. The left-hander will begin his rehab assignment on Wednesday with the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers.
“I think the expectation is for him to go three innings, and probably six days later, do another three innings and go from there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on SportsNet LA. “But yeah, it’s good to see him around and with the guys. I know he’s chomping at the bit.”
Roberts wouldn’t yet fully commit to what Snell’s progression will look like, but did reveal the goal is to get to built up to five innings.
While it has been a slow journey to get to this point, Snell avoided any setbacks.
“I think he’s right on track,” Roberts said. “I think we were very methodical about this process. I think even from the outset we were pretty conservative as far as when he was going to come back, so this is what we had hoped.”
As for number of starts in the Minors, Roberts said the minimum is three but that it would most likely require a fourth outing.
The Dodgers’ rotation has been one of the best in the Majors this season, but they would certainly welcome back the two-time Cy Young Award winner to the starting six.
The team has not publicly discussed who would be demoted from the rotation upon Snell’s return, but they have continued to state it will not be Roki Sasaki.
That leaves Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski as the potential odd man out in the Dodgers rotation. Sheehan has looked better as of late after a slow start to the season, but Wrobleski has been lights out in his last two outings while making the transition from the bullpen.
Roki Sasaki not moving to Dodgers bullpen
The Dodgers now figure to rely on Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia in save opportunities due to Díaz’s injury. Sasaki previously thrived as the team’s closer, but general manager Brandon Gomes said he will remain in the starting rotation.
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