​The Dodgers’ starting rotation has stood out as one of the strongest in baseball this season, even amid a spate of injuries that have disrupted the rotation at various points. Young right-handers Gavin Stone and River Ryan have yet to make their big-league debuts, while Landon Knack is finally getting his season underway well into the schedule. Tyler Glasnow has been sidelined since early May, and Blake Snell—two-time Cy Young Award winner—has only one major-league start to his name this year.
For Snell, who has logged just three innings in 2026, the year has been disappointing so far, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports that Snell threw live to hitters for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery, and the left-hander is set to begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break. The next phase, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, will be the rehab assignment, likely kicking off the first weekend after the All-Star festivities.
“He says he feels better right now than he did when he returned before,” Roberts said of Snell, who has made only one start this season after beginning the year on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. Snell’s return to full health could be a major lift for a pitching staff that has navigated high-profile absences, and the plan is for him to progress through the rehab process with the objective of contributing again soon.
As for Glasnow, there have been recurring hurdles in his path back to action. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register notes that Glasnow experiences phases where he feels ready to throw, only to hit a setback shortly after. Nevertheless, the right-hander did work his way through a fastball-only bullpen session on Friday, marking yet another step on his road back to the mound. The fluctuation in his readiness underscores the complexity of returning from injuries, but the Dodgers remain hopeful that Glasnow’s timeline can align with the team’s long-term pitching plans.
In other news, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will not be part of this year’s All-Star Game after tossing six innings in a recent start. He will be replaced on the NL All-Star roster by teammate Justin Wrobleski, per MLB.com reporters Chen and Jacob Gurvis. Yamamoto acknowledged the missed opportunity, saying, “I’m looking forward to it. It would be better if I was able to pitch … because I would enjoy the atmosphere, and the whole show.” His sentiment captures the competitive spirit that drives this young staff, even as they miss out on one of baseball’s most electrifying showcases.
Meanwhile, Kiké Hernández’s return from rehab is anticipated to follow the All-Star break, assuming the process goes smoothly. The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reports that Hernández is expected to rejoin the Dodgers after the break, having appeared in only two games this season but already making an impact with four at-bat appearances that have yielded three hits, including a home run. His presence should add depth to a lineup that has leaned on a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent since the season began.
The landscape behind the Dodgers’ rotation remains dynamic, with Stone, Ryan, and Knack positioned to contribute once they’re fully ready, and with Snell and Glasnow navigating their own comebacks. The organization has weathered injuries and scheduling quirks, but the potential return of these key arms could provide a substantial boost as the second half of the season unfolds. The mix of established performers and rising stars continues to define the Dodgers’ pitching staff, and fans remain hopeful that the rotation will stay among the league’s best as health returns and the bullpen steadies.