Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Blake Snell is "on a mission" as he returns from injury to start against Kansas City on August 10, 2026.
Roberts said the plan is for Snell to work through five innings, with a pitch count in the range of 75 to 80 as the ideal target. He added that he wants to see Snell attack hitters rather than pitch too carefully against a contact-oriented Kansas City lineup, noting Snell has numerous pitches at his disposal. Roberts also pointed to two teammates, TK and Edwin, who underwent the same loose-body removal procedure as Snell and are both physically feeling as good as they have in a long time, which he said offers a blueprint for the recovery process. He noted that multiple Dodgers players have undergone that same procedure during the 2026 season, giving the team a reference point for what recovery looks like.
On the bullpen, Roberts said it is tight for the game, with only four or five relievers available; Eddie would be limited to a save situation and Tanner to a plus-eighth-inning situation. He explained that Tanner and Edwin were factored in as of the previous day's availability count.
Roberts addressed Will Smith's bone spur issue, saying the approach is based on how Smith feels playing catch rather than a fixed timetable, and he acknowledged that surgery has not been ruled out. He said Smith is not yet close to a live bullpen session but could reach coach's pitch by the weekend, calling that outcome a win. Roberts also discussed reducing Teoscar Hernandez's playing time against right-handed pitchers due to underperformance, citing Max Muncy and Kyle Tucker as matchup options on the bench against a right-handed pitcher who performs well against right-handed hitters. He described ongoing conversations with players about leverage and understanding the right time to use challenges or exert effort.
Roberts also described a symbolic detail in Snell's return, saying there is "a little swagger" and that Snell is "standing tall," tied to his rhythm and mechanics when pitching well. He contrasted this with the 2025 season, when he said Snell was still feeling his way back from injury and was not yet mentally locked in. Looking ahead, Roberts said the near-term marker for Smith's recovery is reaching coach's pitch by the weekend.