LOS ANGELES, CA\u2014The Los Angeles Dodgers have opened the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season without one of their key starters from last year\u2019s World Series championship roster.<\/p>\n
Entering camp, left-hander Blake Snell<\/a> was adamant about slow-playing his ramp-up for the upcoming regular season as a way to hopefully avoid a lengthy stint on the injured list as he did last summer.<\/p>\n Snell didn\u2019t appear in any Cactus League games for the Dodgers during spring training, with the lefty just starting to extend his flat ground throws and a few late bullpen sessions at the end of camp.<\/p>\n Still, entering the regular season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts<\/a> was confident that a late-may return seemed the most likely.<\/p>\n Well, now, according to Dodgers insider David Vassegh of AM 570<\/a>, Snell is taking the next step in his ramp-up and will face live hitters once the team returns from their upcoming six-game road trip.<\/p>\n While Snell missed significant time last season due to left shoulder discomfort, the lefty and two-time Cy Young<\/a> Award winner was effective down the stretch and proved to be the difference maker in October, helping secure victories in the National League Wild Card, Division Series, and Championship series.<\/p>\n Currently, the Dodgers rotation only features one left-hander in Justin Wrobleski<\/a>, who will slot in during the team\u2019s upcoming road trip.<\/p>\n Snell is also one of three pitchers hopeful to return before June, with River Ryan<\/a> getting an extended ramp-up with the Triple-A OKC Comets, and Gavin Stone<\/a> finally pain-free and set to begin his throwing ramp-up.<\/p>\n Once the other arms return, the Dodgers will have multiple decisions to make as they go through their massive pitching depth.<\/p>\n More Dodgers Coverage:<\/p>\n