The Los Angeles Dodgers may have to begin their title defense without one of their superstars.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Friday that it will be “hard” for left-hander Blake Snell to be ready for Opening Day as he continues to build back from lingering shoulder issues. According to Jack Harris of The California Post, Roberts said Snell has been making progress in his throwing progression but remains limited to flat ground sessions.
With the calendar quickly turning toward March 26, Roberts admitted the timeline is tight:
“Given the calendar, it’s gonna be hard for him to be ready for Opening Day,” Roberts said.
That is not the update Dodgers fans were hoping for.
Dodgers Taking Cautious Approach With Snell
At age 33, Snell is not dealing with a new injury this spring, but the shoulder issues that sidelined him for much of last season have required a slower buildup. He missed four months in 2025 before returning late in the year and contributing during the club’s World Series run.
Though he finished the postseason healthy, Snell later admitted he felt gassed after such a long layoff.
The Dodgers are being cautious with his progression this time around.
Roberts has emphasized that Opening Day is not a hard deadline for the two-time Cy Young winner. The organization is prioritizing long-term durability over rushing him back.
For now, Snell is still throwing off flat ground and has yet to progress to mound sessions. That means he would need a significant ramp up in the coming weeks to realistically slot into the Opening Day rotation.
Even if Snell returns sometime in April, it is likely he would be on a pitch count or inning limit early in the season.
Dodgers Rotation Depth Tested Early
The Dodgers still boast one of baseball’s most talented rotations. Shohei Ohtani is expected to be fully active on the mound this season, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives LA an ace presence at the top of the staff.
But Snell’s loss will be felt early on.
He posted a 2.35 ERA across 11 starts last season and owns a career 3.15 ERA. When healthy, he remains one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in the game.
Snell is in the second year of a five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers. He proved to be worth every penny last October.
While he has dealt with injuries at different points in his career, his impact when healthy is undeniable. Losing him, even temporarily, would force the Dodgers to lean more heavily on their depth early in the season.
Guys like Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone will have early opportunities to earn their spot on this stacked starting rotation.
Right now, Roberts has emphasized that the Dodgers are simply being careful with Snell. Opening Day is looking unlikely, but the focus is on making sure he is fully built up and healthy for the long run.
Dodgers Get Troubling Blake Snell Opening Day Update From Dave Roberts