Blake Snell is nearing a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation following elbow surgery earlier this year. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined since early May due to the procedure to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow, but recent performances on minor league rehab assignments signal he is progressing well in his recovery.

Snell appeared in three rehab games, most recently pitching four scoreless innings for Single-A Ontario, recording nine strikeouts. He is scheduled to make a final tune-up outing—a five-inning start with Triple-A Oklahoma City—before the Dodgers consider activating him for major league duty. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that while Snell showed encouraging form, the club plans to proceed cautiously given his limited workload this season.

The 33-year-old left-hander, who signed a $182 million contract with the Dodgers, revealed that his arm feels better than it has in three years. He described lasting numbness in his pinky and ring fingers that he had initially regarded as minor but later recognized as a sign of deeper physical challenges affecting his pitching mechanics. Since surgery, Snell said his shoulder and elbow feel strong, and he has reclaimed a more natural delivery without compensatory movements that had previously affected his velocity and performance.

Snell’s return carries significant implications for the Dodgers, who are seeking to stabilize a rotation hit by injuries and inconsistency. The team lost top starter Julio Urías to season-ending Tommy John surgery and has supplemented its staff with acquisitions such as Aaron Nola and Clayton Kershaw. Snell’s health and effectiveness could provide a critical boost as the Dodgers navigate a tight playoff race and evaluate pitching options ahead of the trade deadline.

While Roberts declined to confirm Snell’s exact role upon rejoining the rotation, possibilities include slotting into either the No. 5 starter position or moving up if other arms require rest or miss time. The pitching staff currently includes Max Scherzer, Aaron Nola, Tony Gonsolin, and the sidelined Urías, among others. Snell’s workload this year has been limited, with just 40 innings pitched between appearances for the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, plus a brief presence in last year’s playoffs curtailed by shoulder issues.

The Dodgers have underscored that Snell will face inning limits and pitch count restrictions as he re-acclimates to major league competition. Roberts noted that Snell’s most recent outing was "very encouraging," highlighting the pitcher’s progress in “shaking off the rust” and finishing strong during rehab. The team’s hopes rest on Snell’s ability to maintain his health and recapture the form that made him an ace earlier in his career, potentially shifting the balance for a Dodger staff looking to reassert dominance down the stretch.