On Saturday, the Dodgers officially announced the activation of left-handed pitcher Blake Snell from the injured list, just before the second game of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, his former team.
Snell, who has not pitched in a Major League game since April 2 due to left shoulder soreness, made four minor league rehab starts before being deemed ready to return.
The team also decided to send right-handed pitcher Paul Gervase to the minor leagues as part of the roster move.
What happened to Blake Snell?
The return of Snell comes at a strategic time for the Dodgers, who lead the National League West Division and are aiming for another World Series title.
After a 5-0 victory over the Rays on Friday, the team holds a three-game lead in its division and is beginning to get important pieces back for the postseason.
The left-hander, who won the Cy Young Award in 2018, could be a key piece in a rotation that already features the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. If he can regain his best form, his presence would further strengthen a pitching staff designed to compete in October.
The Dodgers and their low profile in the transfer market
The return of Snell also partly explains the low profile maintained by the Dodgers management during the recent trade deadline. Unlike in previous seasons, president of operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes decided not to make any major moves, instead gambling on the recovery of key players within the squad.
While other teams such as the Yankees or Padres sought to aggressively strengthen, the Dodgers relied on the return of players such as Snell. This decision could prove decisive if the left-handed pitcher can provide stability and effectiveness in the crucial months.
With the postseason fast approaching, the big question is whether this approach will be enough to secure the ninth World Series title in franchise history.
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