The weekend dodgers vs braves series is getting a sudden pitching shakeup. Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell is set to make his much-anticipated 2026 season debut on Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Braves.
The decision to activate Snell comes ahead of schedule, triggered by an unexpected injury to rotation mate Tyler Glasnow. On Friday, the Dodgers placed Glasnow on the 15-day injured list due to lower back spasms. Glasnow had exited his Wednesday start against the Houston Astros during warmups for the second inning, though manager Dave Roberts noted an MRI revealed “nothing really significant.”
With a sudden hole in the rotation for the braves – dodgers matchup, Los Angeles pivoted their plans for Snell. The veteran had started the season on the injured list dealing with left shoulder fatigue and was originally scheduled to make a final minor league rehab start. Over his previous three rehab outings for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Snell built his workload up to four innings and 55 pitches. Instead of taking the mound in Ontario, he will pitch at Dodger Stadium on what coincidentally serves as his bobblehead night.
According to Roberts, Snell is thrilled to make the early jump, though his pitch count will likely be capped around 75 pitches or five innings against Atlanta.
This roster maneuvering temporarily pauses a looming decision for the Dodgers’ rotation. Prior to Glasnow’s injury, the team was facing a potential logjam trying to decide how to manage their back-end starters once Snell returned. Because Glasnow is sidelined, younger arms like Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki, and Justin Wrobleski—who boasts a 5-0 record and a 0.56 ERA through five starts—will remain in the rotation for now. Sasaki, who was initially the probable starter for Saturday’s dodgers vs braves game, will have his start pushed back to Monday.