Dodgers Expect Blake Snell to Miss Opening Day

The Los Angeles Dodgers are navigating a pretty unsettled start to the season as they keep a close eye on Blake Snell’s shoulder. At the same time, they’re watching a wave of young pitchers during spring training.

This blog post breaks down Snell’s rehab status, what it could mean for the Dodgers’ starting rotation, and how Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s spring performance and World Baseball Classic duties might shape the team’s plans for Opening Day.

Dodgers face a cautious start as Snell’s rehab continues

Blake Snell is still working his way back from a stubborn shoulder issue and, honestly, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready for Opening Day. Manager Dave Roberts says Snell’s been throwing on flat ground, but he hasn’t pitched off a mound yet, so it’s a slow, careful ramp-up instead of a rushed return.

Last season, Snell only made 11 regular-season appearances because of that shoulder, finishing with a 5-4 record and a 2.35 ERA. He didn’t exactly fade away, though—he made six postseason starts, went 3-2, and helped the Dodgers defend their World Series title.

Right now, the Dodgers want to keep him healthy for the long haul, even if that means he misses the start of the 2024-25 campaign. There’s no set timeline for mound work or game action, so the team is managing expectations for the rotation while juggling offseason health and the momentum from last year’s championship run.

Rotation logistics and expectations

The club came into spring training planning to evaluate the front-end of the rotation with Snell’s situation in mind. If he’s not ready, they’ll have to lean on their depth and see who steps up.

Other pitchers now have a real shot to claim a spot, but it’s still up in the air who fills in if Snell’s return takes longer. The bullpen might get shuffled around, too, depending on how things shake out with the starters.

Yamamoto’s spring showing and WBC duties

In a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, rookie right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a mixed outing. He gave up two runs on five hits and struck out five over three innings.

That performance gave a glimpse of the Dodgers’ pitching depth and hinted at where Yamamoto could fit in this season. Soon, Yamamoto will head to Japan for the World Baseball Classic with teammate Shohei Ohtani.

That experience might help his development, even if it interrupts the Dodgers’ spring schedule a bit. The team seems to see his international assignment as a good chance to grow, and maybe, when he’s back, he could end up as a frontline starter or a big bullpen piece.

Spring progress, rotation outlook and long-term health

The Dodgers are keeping a close eye on Snell’s timeline. Meanwhile, the rest of the rotation and the organization’s prospects are starting to take shape.

The team wants to keep the momentum from last season. At the same time, they’re careful not to overwork their pitchers early in camp.

Finding the right balance between being ready to compete and protecting everyone’s health will shape the first few weeks.

• Rotation planning: Everything early on depends on when Snell returns. The team already has candidates who can jump into starting roles if they’re needed.
• Depth evaluation: Yamamoto’s performance and versatility might push him into a frontline spot, or maybe a swing-man role. It’ll depend on how everyone’s health and development go.
• WBC impact: Ohtani’s time with Japan and Yamamoto’s participation could mess with the spring schedule a bit. Still, the club figures the experience will pay off in the long run.
• Postseason momentum: The Dodgers want to turn last year’s championship energy into a durable season. Health and sustainable workloads come first, at least for now.

For Dodgers fans, the next stretch should be revealing. How will the rotation shake out with Snell working his way back? Where does Yamamoto fit in for the long haul? Can the club really keep up the high level of play that powered another World Series run? Guess we’ll find out as spring unfolds and Opening Day creeps closer.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers don’t expect Blake Snell to be ready on opening day