The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to receive a significant boost to their pitching rotation as manager Dave Roberts confirmed that two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will return from the injured list to start on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. This marks Snell’s third start of the 2025 season, following a prolonged absence due to left shoulder inflammation that sidelined him since April. The announcement, made on July 31, 2025, has sparked excitement among Dodgers fans, especially as Snell prepares to face his former team, where he won the American League Cy Young Award in 2018. To prepare, Snell will arrive in Tampa on Friday for a bullpen workout, ensuring he is ready for the high-stakes matchup.

Snell’s return comes at a critical juncture for the Dodgers, who have navigated a challenging season marked by injuries to key pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin. Despite these setbacks, the team has maintained a strong position in the National League, thanks to the emergence of young pitchers like Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, as well as the return of two-way star Shohei Ohtani to the mound. Roberts’ decision to reintegrate Snell into the rotation signals a strategic move to bolster the pitching staff as the Dodgers aim to solidify their postseason prospects. Snell’s rehab journey has been methodical, with four minor-league outings showcasing his readiness, including a standout performance on July 27 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, striking out seven.

The significance of Snell’s return is heightened by the matchup against the Rays, where he began his MLB career in 2016. Snell’s history with Tampa Bay includes a memorable 2018 season, where he led the league in wins and ERA, cementing his status as one of baseball’s elite pitchers. However, his tenure with the Rays also saw controversy, notably during Game 6 of the 2020 World Series, when manager Kevin Cash pulled him after 5.1 dominant innings, a decision that led to a Dodgers comeback and sparked widespread debate. Roberts himself acknowledged the relief felt by the Dodgers’ dugout when Snell was removed, a sentiment echoed by players like Mookie Betts and Corey Seager. Now, Snell returns to Tampa as a Dodger, ready to prove his worth against his former team.

Snell’s 2025 season has been limited to two starts, where he posted a 2.00 ERA but struggled with control, walking eight batters in nine innings. His rehab outings, however, have shown promise, with 17 strikeouts and only one walk across nine innings, indicating a return to his strikeout-heavy form. His final rehab start, throwing 76 pitches, suggests he is ready to handle a starter’s workload. Roberts has confirmed the Dodgers will adopt a six-man rotation upon Snell’s return, a move that will shift Dustin May to a long-relief role in the bullpen, providing flexibility as the trade deadline approaches on July 31, 2025.

The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been a focal point this season, with injuries testing their depth. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a standout, posting an 8-6 record with a 2.51 ERA, while Clayton Kershaw recently celebrated his 3,000th career strikeout. Snell’s return, alongside Glasnow’s ongoing recovery, positions the Dodgers’ rotation as one of the most formidable in the league. Roberts’ optimism about Snell’s progress, highlighted by his clean delivery and effective pitch mix during rehab, underscores the team’s confidence in his ability to anchor the rotation.

For Snell, this start is an opportunity to reclaim his status as a dominant force. His $182 million, five-year contract with the Dodgers, signed in November 2024, reflects the team’s belief in his potential to lead them to another World Series title. Despite a challenging 2024 season with the San Francisco Giants, where he went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA, Snell’s no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, 2024, reminded the baseball world of his brilliance. As he prepares to take the mound in Tampa, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Snell can replicate his Cy Young form.

The Dodgers’ road series against the Rays marks a pivotal moment in their season. With Snell’s return, alongside the anticipated activation of Max Muncy from the injured list early next week, Los Angeles is poised to strengthen its roster for a deep postseason run. Snell’s bullpen session on Friday will be closely watched, as it sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown on Saturday, where he aims to make a statement against his former team.