Dodgers Notes: Blake Snell Could Face Hitters this Week, No HRD for Ohtani, Rojas Injury

LOS ANGELES, CA—Happy Monday! The Los Angeles Dodgers are on their way home after a successful six-game road trip, which saw the team collect five total wins, including a series sweep at Coors Field against their National League West foe, the Colorado Rockies.

However, over the weekend, we got plenty of significant updates for the Dodgers roster, including when lefty Blake Snell will face hitters, if Ohtani will participate in the Home Run Derby, and updates on Miguel Rojas’s hand injury.

Snell on Track to Face Hitters at Dodger Stadium this Week

The Dodgers have been without left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell since late April after he was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder discomfort.

Snell, 32, restarted his throwing program earlier this month after finally getting the go-ahead from team doctors. Over the last several weeks, Snell has increased throwing from 60-120 feet and has begun throwing weekly bullpen sessions.

When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked whether Snell was close to throwing to hitters in a simulated game last week, the skipper shot it down.

“I would say probably not,” Roberts said when asked if Snell was close to pitching against batters. “We got to do another ‘pen and we’ll see where we go. But I would just say overall, my idea of close is probably not, which could be different from yours.”

Fast-forward to yesterday, that sentiment appears to have changed, as according to Dodgers insider David Vassegh of AM 570, Snell is likely set to face hitters on the Dodgers’ upcoming homestand.

Thomas Albert told me that Blake Snell hit 94 miles an hour on his fastball. Blake said he threw 36 pitches, and it looks like he’ll be facing hitters when the Dodgers return home

The situation should be confirmed tomorrow during Dave Roberts’ pre-game media scrum, but if Snell is set to face hitters this week, it’ll be another significant step toward his return.

Snell has been known as a second-half pitcher throughout his career, posting a 2.32 ERA after the All-Star break compared to a 3.95 ERA to start the year.

This was also the case last season when Snell was with the San Francisco Giants, and the lefty posted a 1.45 ERA across 68.1 innings post-All-Star break last year.

The Dodgers will hope to get that version of Snell with the lefty on track to return sometime in the second half, and if he’s facing hitters this week, it won’t be long until we see Snellzilla back on the mound.

No Home Run Derby for Ohtani or Hernández

The 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star week is less than two weeks away, and with that comes the famous Home Run Derby.

This year, the All-Star Game and the derby will be held at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, and while multiple Dodgers are poised to represent Dodger Blue in the mid-summer classic, don’t expect to see many participate in the derby.

The Dodgers had two realistic potential players for the derby this year, Shohei Ohtani and 2024 Home Run Derby champion Teoscar Hernández.

Despite being a finalist for the National League outfield for this year’s All-Star Game, Hernández opted not to defend his title due to the groin injury he suffered in May.

“With the injury that I had earlier this year, I don’t want to risk anything. So I’m going to stay put and not participate,” Hernández said in an interview with David Vassegh on Dodger Talk.

Hernández added that he initially considered competing in the derby but ultimately decided against it. However, the three-time Silver Slugger may return to the competition next season if given the opportunity.

Ohtani, 30, had a similar answer without outright closing a door on an opportunity to compete.

“With the current rules in place, I don’t think it’s feasible for me to be able to compete well,” Ohtani told reporters over the weekend.

The two-way star finally made his return to the mound for the first time in nearly two seasons and is still working his way to go deeper in games.

The Dodgers will agree with whatever decision Ohtani makes, as explained by Dave Roberts earlier this week when asked if Ohtani would participate in the Home Run Derby, leaving the answer firmly up to his star player.

Updates on Rojas’ Hand Injury

In the Dodgers’ win on Sunday during the rubber match against the Kansas City Royals, the Dodgers dodged a massive bullet after veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas injured his hand while attempting to steal second base.

During the seventh inning, Rojas tried to advance on a pitch in the dirt, but he was thrown out. Rojas jammed his finger on the play and looked to be in considerable pain afterward.

Rojas initially stayed in the game but was replaced by Hyeseong Kim in the eighth inning.

“It’s kind of sore. Got tagged, but didn’t know if I jammed it with the bag or if it was the tag. But it was on my finger, so it’s pretty sore. It was swelling up on me after that inning, and felt like I should be smart, take care of it, put some ice on it and try to calm the inflammation. Maybe not take another at-bat and make it worse. That’s why I came out of the game.”

Rojas, along with many others at home, thought the injury was much worse than initially thought, such as a broken hand or finger.

Despite many fans not wanting Rojas’ bat in the lineup, the veteran shortstop has been very productive in his last fifteen games, with a .320/.393/.640 line, and was two-for-two in yesterday’s game before the injury.

Rojas is considered day-to-day and won’t need an injured list stint, and with the Monday day off, we could see him in the lineup on Tuesday for Game One versus the White Sox.

Around the Diamond

• Tyler Glasnow appeared in his second rehab game this past Friday and was expected to work toward the fourth inning. However, Glasnow was hit hard, allowing five runs on seven hits, and was hit in the thigh by minor league catcher Chuckie Robinson. The hiccup will likely mean Glasnow will need two more rehab appearances before activation.
• Dave Roberts stated that Tommy Edman’s ankle is healed enough for him to he can play the outfield again. He’ll get more starts in center field, allowing Hyeseong Kim a chance to start more at second base, his natural position.
• After being a free agent for over a month, long-time backstop Austin Barnes inked a minor league deal with the Dodgers’ National League West rival, the San Francisco Giants.
• Edgardo Henriquez was activated off the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A OKC. To make room on the roster, veteran righty Luis García was DFA’d.
• The Dodgers finished June with a 17-10 record, their best winning percentage for a full month this regular season.

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