Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he recovers from a left shoulder injury suffered in the previous season. The left-hander suffered from shoulder inflammation but continued playing the rest of the season and into the postseason.
At DodgerFest, Snell commented on what his expectation was during his recovery coming into the 2026 season. “The goal is to be ready for Opening Day," Snell said (h/t Sonja Chen of MLB.com).
"But I'm going to take my time. I'll know more once I'm there (Spring Training), throwing bullpens, pitching in games. I'll have an idea, but yeah, Opening Day is the goal."
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Although Snell looked forward to being prepared to pitch at the start of the season, his recovery time caused concern for the organization. His preparation time left the team to make a decision based on when he could return to pitch.
In an update from Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Harris on Monday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that although Snell had been progressing in his recovery, he did not expect Snell to be fully recovered before the start of the season, ultimately scratching him off for Opening Day. Roberts is hopeful that Snell can make his return to the field sometime around the end of May.
The Dodgers have taken the necessary precautions in Snell’s recovery in order for him to be fully cleared. Roberts has stated that Snell had been limited to flat-ground sessions in an effort to speed up his recovery time and to prevent any more aggravation of his shoulder injury.
Earlier this month, Snell was able to participate in his first bullpen session, throwing a total of 18 pitches. Snell mentioned that he felt no discomfort at all during the session, indicating that his recovery is going in the right direction and gives hope to the team that he is taking the necessary steps to return to the mound and play a major factor for the Dodgers’ starting pitching.
Throughout the 2025 season, Snell played 11 games in the regular season, striking out 72 batters and only allowing 21 runs. Snell also played six games in the postseason, playing a crucial role in the Dodgers’ eventual World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.
Although the Dodgers have multiple pitching options to fill in for Snell’s absence, his recovery has been an issue, as it has gone slower than what the team had expected. Nonetheless, the Dodgers will be prepared for the season as they look to become the first team to three-peat since the New York Yankees did it in 1998-2000.
