Friday, May 8 marks the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ first game of a three-game series against the MLB-leading Atlanta Braves.
The Braves are 11 of their last 14 games, whereas the Dodgers have struggled a bit the last few series, but turned it around in their series against the Houston Astros. They secured a 12-2 win on Wednesday, but starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow left the game early due to lower back pain.
Whether or not Glasnow hits the IL is still unknown, the Dodgers did get good news about a pitcher set to make his season debut on Saturday, May 9.
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Blake Snell is Set to Make Season Debut Against the Atlanta Braves on His Bobblehead Night
Los Angeles Dodgers’ left-handed ace Blake Snell was scheduled to make one final rehab outing in Single-A, but instead will be making his season debut at Dodger Stadium instead. Coincidentally, Snell will be taking the mound on his bobblehead night.
Returning on your bobblehead night is so sick.
“Blake Snell will start for the Dodgers this Saturday, rather than make a final rehab outing, per source,” Dodgers’ beat writer Jack Harris shared to X. “TBD what corresponding move will be — but could obviously have something to do with Tyler Glasnow’s back injury”
Katie Woo of The Athletic, reports that Los Angeles Dodgers manger Dave Roberts preferred Snell to build up to more than five innings in his rehab start before getting reinstated. However, with the recent injury to Glasnow it seems as if the Dodgers have shifted their rotation plan over the next couple of days.
Despite potentially losing Glasnow, Snell’s return is great news for the Dodgers’ rotation, as he was one of their finest arms last season.
Snell dealt with the same shoulder fatigue that started him on the 15-day IL this season in 2025. Although he spent four months on the injury list, Snell made quite the impact on the Dodgers’ rotation.
Snell had a 5-4 record in 11 starts and 61.1 innings pitched. The lefty posted a 2.35 ERA, allowed only three home runs, recorded 72 K’s, and had a .230 opponent batting average.
In the postseason, Snell pitched in six games–five of which were starts–and had a 3.12 ERA, 41 K’s, and a .183 opponent batting average through 34 innings.
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Blake Snell’s Rehab Outing Performances
Snell pitched a total of eight innings in his three rehab outings in 2026.
During his second rehab start, Snell dominated through three innings allowing only one hit and no walks while striking out six batters.
The lefty’s efficiency was on full display, striking out the side in the first inning on 13 pitches. He then struck out three batters the next inning after giving up a leadoff double.
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What Does Snell’s Return Mean for Sasaki, Sheehan, and Wrobleski?
With Blake Snell returning, and Tyler Glasnow’s IL status unknown, Dave Roberts has a big decision to make when it comes to the young arms in the Dodgers’ current six-man rotation.
As of right now it seems like the Dodgers are going to bump all of their pitchers back a game to account for Snell’s return and a potential skipped start for Glasnow.
Emmet Sheehan is making his scheduled start on Friday against the Brave, Roki Sasaki was slated to get the start on Saturday, and Justin Wrobleski to make the start on Sunday. What day Sasaki and Wrobleski will pitch again is currently TBD.
Sasaki has had himself a subpar 2026 season, his ERA is 5.97, and while Sheehan started off the season strong his ERA has climbed up to 5.23. On paper, Wrobleski seems like a dominant pitcher having a 1.25 ERA, but his strikeout rate 10.7% of batters faced and is getting assistance from a .222 batting average on balls in play and 86.5% strand rate.
Although Dave Roberts has yet to make any comments about the Dodgers’ rotation, as it gets closer to game time, an announcement is soon to come.
Dodgers Get Amazing Blake Snell Injury News Ahead of Braves Series