Dodgers to Start Two-Time Cy Young Winners Back-to-Back The Los Angeles Dodgers will open their next two games with two-time Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell, marking the 12th time in Major League Baseball history that a team has fielded two pitchers with multiple Cy Young honors. Skubal, a 2023 Cy Young winner, will start on Monday, followed by Snell on Tuesday. Manager Dave Roberts called the pairing a “great” opportunity for the team, acknowledging the challenge of facing two elite pitchers in consecutive starts while emphasizing the confidence the offense gains from having such talent on its side. For Skubal, the start will be his second as a Dodger and his first at Dodger Stadium. His debut against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday drew mixed reactions from the Wrigley Field crowd, with fans booing him loudly during his first start. Skubal, however, embraced the energy, calling the atmosphere “a ton of fun” and noting that the fans’ reactions—whether supportive or critical—add to the excitement of the game. He expressed confidence in facing the Kansas City Royals in his next start, describing the challenge as “daunting” but also a chance to showcase his skills. Snell, meanwhile, will make his second start of the season after returning from a shoulder injury and subsequent elbow surgery. He opened the season on the injured list, pitched three innings against Atlanta on May 9, then underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow—the same procedure Skubal had in May. Roberts praised the duo’s potential to elevate the team’s performance, stating, “We feel like we have the pieces of our starting pitching to go on a run.” However, he also stressed the importance of strong defensive support and offensive production to complement the pitching staff.#los_angeles_dodgers #tarik_skubal #dave_roberts #kansas_city_royals #blake_snell
Blake Snell to Return from Injured List as Dodgers Rotation Takes Shape The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to welcome back two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell from the injured list on Tuesday, marking a significant development as their pitching rotation begins to solidify ahead of the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news on Friday, revealing that Snell will start against the Kansas City Royals, while trade deadline acquisition Tarik Skubal is expected to make his Dodger Stadium debut on Monday. Snell’s return comes after a challenging season marred by recurring shoulder and elbow issues. The right-hander began 2026 on the injured list due to shoulder fatigue, making only one start before being sidelined again with loose bodies in his pitching elbow. He underwent a procedure to remove the loose bodies, a treatment previously used by Skubal, who returned to action in just 38 days. Snell, however, required a longer recovery, beginning a rehab assignment on July 18 with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets. Since then, he has made four starts, with his most recent appearance reaching 73 pitches. This is not the first time Snell has struggled in the first half of the season. Over his career, he has posted a 4.00 ERA in the first half and a 2.33 ERA in the second half, despite similar innings totals. His performance in the second half has often been stellar, as seen in his role during the Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run, where he contributed a 3.18 ERA across six appearances, including a relief role in Game 7. The Dodgers’ rotation has relied on depth during the regular season, with pitchers like Eric Lauer and Emmet Sheehan filling in.#los_angeles_dodgers #tarik_skubal #dave_roberts #kansas_city_royals #blake_snell
Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow among reinforcements nearing return to Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers, currently leading the standings, have shifted their focus from survival to strategic reinforcement as key players inch closer to returning from injuries. Two weeks ago, the team’s rotation was under pressure, with three of its four aces sidelined or limited, forcing reliance on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and younger arms. Now, with the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline approaching, the Dodgers are prioritizing the recovery of their star pitchers over aggressive trades, according to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Friedman emphasized that the organization’s offseason planning avoided acute needs in July, allowing flexibility to evaluate internal options. “We feel really good about the talent base we have in place,” he said, highlighting the team’s cohesion and the importance of patience in rebuilding injured players. The focus is on ensuring players return to long-term health rather than rushing their comeback. Blake Snell, recovering from May elbow surgery to remove loose bodies, has made significant progress. He completed his third rehab start with Single-A Ontario on Wednesday, striking out nine over four scoreless innings while allowing one hit and no walks. Despite a grueling schedule without an off-day until Aug. 6, Friedman stressed that Snell’s activation date will not be rushed to fill a schedule gap. “We need to do what we feel like makes the most sense for Blake,” he said, underscoring the team’s commitment to long-term health over short-term gains. Tyler Glasnow also took a major step forward, participating in a two-inning live batting practice session at Dodger Stadium as he recovers from lower back spasms.#dodgers #andrew_friedman #edwin_diaz #tyler_glasnow #blake_snell
