Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers were faced with an impending decision regarding their starting rotation with Blake Snell closing in on the end of his rehab assignment.
However, a spot has now opened up due to Tyler Glasnow landing on the 15-day injured list. Glasnow’s back injury caused the Dodgers to change their plans for Snell and he will now make his return on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
“You kind of layer in the Blake Snell situation and try to figure out if he’s open to taking the five innings here versus on rehab, and he couldn’t be more excited to do that,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Unlike last season, Snell did not push through left shoulder discomfort to get back on the mound as soon as possible. Avoiding the scenario from last season, in which he missed a large chunk of the year, was top of mind.
Prior to the last-minute change of plans, the 33-year-old was scheduled to start on Saturday for Single-A Ontario. It would’ve been Snell’s fourth rehab start, which was the goal set for him by the Dodgers at the outset.
It’s also a few weeks ahead of the initial estimate of a late-May return from left shoulder fatigue that had him start the season on the injured list. However, it seems Snell’s recovery plan was so meticulous up to this point, that both he and the organization feel comfortable with a return ahead of schedule.
Tyler Glasnow replaces Blake Snell on injured list
As for Glasnow, he was placed on the 15-day IL with an official designation of low back spasms. He pitched just one inning this past Wednesday before being removed from the start because of a back spasm that started while warming up for the second inning.
Glasnow experienced a similar issue last season that led to being scratched from a start against the Baltimore Orioles. He described it as a “learning experience” for how to manage that type of issue, which he sees as inevitable for him as an athlete in particular.
Glasnow missed three weeks during the 2024 season because of lower back tightness. He had been hopeful to avoid the injured list with his latest issue.
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