Dodgers Activate Blake Snell for 2026 Debut on Bobblehead Night
Blake Snell is activated from the IL for his 2026 Dodgers debut, aligned with his bobblehead night. Brock Stewart hits the IL
LOS ANGELES, CA—As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers have offically activated two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell from the 15-day injured list, and he’ll make his 2026 debut tonight against the Atlanta Braves.
In order to make room on the 26-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-hander Brock Stewart on the 15-day IL.
Snell was initially set to make his final rehab start with the Ontario Tower Buzzers, but with the lower back injury to right-hander Tyler Glasnow, which ultimately placed him on the 15-day IL, the Dodgers opted to move up Snell's activation.
Snell opened the season on the injured list due to lingering left shoulder fatigue, an injury that forced him to miss most of the 2025 regular season before retying to the Dodgers for their stretch run in October.
Snell was lights out for Los Angeles from August until the season's end, helping the Dodgers secure their second consecutive World Series title, collecting wins in the National League Wild Card, Division Series, and Championship Series.
As it turns out, Snell’s early return lines up perfectly with his bobblehead night. His giveaway marks the first installment of the Dodgers’ “Starter Series,” celebrating the dominant four-man postseason rotation of Snell, Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani.
Over three minor league appearances, Snell posted a 3.38 ERA in eight innings, most recently pitching four innings on 55 pitches with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ideally, he would have extended to about five innings and 75 pitches before returning. However, if he can deliver five innings on Saturday, the Dodgers believe he will have fulfilled his role, especially since the bullpen is refreshed after Thursday's off-day.
Brock Stewart Placed on IL
After a lengthy conversation about the corresponding move for left-hander Blake Snell’s activation off the 15-day IL, the team opted to place right-hander Brock Stewart on the IL with a bone spur in his left foot.
It’s the second IL stint for Stewart, who began the year on the 15-day IL after rehabbing from last year’s season-ending right shoulder surgery.
Overall across 6.1 innings, Stewart did not allow a single earned run while also punching out 13 batters to just three walks in his minor league rehab assignment earlier this month.
Through two appearances this season since his activation, Stewart tossed two scoreless innings while collecting three punch outs.
Still, his loss is another blow to the Dodgers bullpen, which has done very well this season despite the loss of Edwin Diaz.