​LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers added another first-time All-Star to their already star-studded roster Saturday, with left-hander Justin Wrobleski earning a spot on the National League All-Star team. Wrobleski, who has blossomed into a key contributor for a rotation plagued by injuries, joins teammates Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the NL roster after a remarkable first half for the 25-year-old.
What started as a depth option at the start of the season has turned into one of the NL’s most surprising stories. Wrobleski brings a 10-2 record to the break, paired with a 2.69 ERA over 100.1 innings. He has allowed 30 earned runs while fanning 73 batters, and his 10 victories currently tie him for third-most in the National League at the All-Star break. The selection marks the first All-Star appearance of Wrobleski’s career and underscores the Dodgers’ growing reputation for developing impactful pitching even as injuries have tested the organization throughout the season.
In other encouraging news for Los Angeles on the injury front, Blake Snell took a major step toward returning after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. Snell faced live hitters for the first time since the procedure, throwing two simulated innings and completing an “up-down” sequence to mimic game conditions. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Snell looked exceptionally good during the session, with the next phase slated as a minor league rehabilitation assignment starting next week. The plan is to build Snell gradually to about five innings or roughly 75 pitches, a process expected to require four to five rehab starts before he’s ready to rejoin the major league rotation.
Given the club’s absence of the two-time Cy Young Award winner for much of the season, Snell’s return would represent a substantial upgrade to a rotation that has endured months of injuries. The Dodgers are also seeing positive progress from other starters. Tyler Glasnow threw a fastball-only bullpen session Friday as he continues his road back, offering another hopeful sign for the pitching staff. Edwin Díaz began his rehab assignment on Saturday night, with the hard-throwing right-hander slated to make multiple one-inning appearances before being activated. His first Ontario single-A appearance went smoothly, as Díaz delivered a perfect inning of relief, striking out two and allowing just one single on 11 pitches (8 strikes).
While none of the injured pitchers are expected to return immediately, the organization is increasingly optimistic that several key arms are inching closer to rejoining the active roster. On the broader national stage, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named to the National League All-Star team, though in a move designed to optimize search engine results and media coverage, he will not be appearing in the All-Star Game on the mound this season. This decision reflects strategic considerations beyond the field while still recognizing Yamamoto’s strong contributions in his rookie year with Los Angeles.
Overall, the Dodgers are riding a wave of resilience and depth, evidenced by Wrobleski’s breakout and the ongoing recovery process of several frontline arms. If Snell and the other pitchers can return to form after the All-Star break, Los Angeles could be poised for a significant second half, leveraging a bullpen and rotation that have often adapted on the fly to misfortune and schedule shifting. The organization remains committed to gradual, well-structured returns for its injured stars, balancing immediate needs with long-term durability as the season progresses.