Dodgers News: Blake Snell Trails Dodgers’ Rotation Timeline, Casting Doubt on Opening Day Spot
With Blake Snell behind the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation in his build-up, the team now faces growing uncertainty about his Opening Day availability.
GLENDALE, AZ—At the tailend of the 2026 Major League Baseball offseason, Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed ace Blake Snell stated that he’d delay the start of his ramp-up for spring training, citing an injury-riddled first year in Dodger Blue and the feeling of arm fatigue after the conclusion of the World Series.
Now that the team is fully reporting to its spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona, those comments have been validated, as Snell is a bit behind his other teammates in the starting rotation, with Cactus League action under a week away.
“He’s playing catch,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Snell. “He’s throwing. Once he gets off the mound, throws a ‘pen, faces some hitters, we will know more. But obviously, he’s not there right now. So until he gets off the mound, I just really don’t know.”
Roberts and Snell have each explained that nothing is injured with the left-hander’s arm, but that he and the team are just being cautious as Snell enters his age-33 season, and his potential date of throwing off the mound is close.
“So like I said, I think the first day, there’s no hard line dates for any of our players. There really isn’t. I think that we have a ton of depth, a lot of able players, and we’re not going to push any position player, let alone a pitcher, to be ready for whatever date. So, I know Mark (Prior) got it kind of on his calendar. I’m not sure exactly what date that is, though.”
Snell missed a majority of the 2025 regular season with a left shoulder injury but was still effective across 34 innings and took that time off and let it all out during October, where Snell was a massive factor in the Dodgers’ trip to the Fall Classic.
Still, the more Snell is delayed to start his ramp-up, the more likely the left-hander won’t be ready come Opening Day on March 26th, and that would make him the second player to be out, joining utilityman Tommy Edman.
The Dodgers have the pitchers ready to handle a Snell absence, with right-hander Roki Sasaki hopeful for a starting role after losing his spot after a shaky rookie season.
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