Snell Returns to the Mound for the Dodgers on Wednesday, Adding Another Two-Time Cy Young Winner to the Rotation

Following the addition of a two-time Cy Young-winning lefty at the trade deadline, the Dodgers will slot another two-time Cy Young left-hander into their starting rotation upon their return to Los Angeles.

Manager Dave Roberts announced before the team's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix that Blake Snell will be activated from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and start for the Dodgers. A day earlier, Tarik Skubal will make his first home start for the Dodgers in the opening game of a seven-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers.

For most of this season, the starting rotation has been a strength for the Dodgers, ranking fifth in MLB with a 3.56 ERA as of today. They managed to hold up despite the long-term absences of Snell and Tyler Glasnow, who is also expected to return to the rotation in the coming weeks. Now, with the blockbuster acquisition of Skubal at the trade deadline, the Dodgers' starting rotation is poised to become formidable once again.

"Now that we have Blake back and Tarik on board, we feel that with the starters we have, the team is capable of going on a winning streak," Roberts said. "But at the same time, you have to play good defense behind them and score runs. Still, it feels like every night, we have a great chance to win the game."

After starting the season on the injured list due to left shoulder fatigue, Snell made just one start for the Dodgers on May 9 before going back on the injured list, this time due to loose bodies in his left elbow requiring surgery to remove them. The surgery Snell underwent on his elbow is similar to the procedure Skubal had earlier this year, both using nanoneedle arthroscopic minimally invasive technology.

Snell completed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, throwing 73 pitches (41 strikes) over 3.2 innings in his fourth rehab start. He wasn't at his best, and the high pitch count kept him from reaching the fifth inning as he had hoped, but he finished his final rehab start before returning to the Dodgers.

When Snell returns to the Dodgers, the team is in the midst of a grueling stretch of 13 consecutive games without a day off. Therefore, his activation is unlikely to push Eric Lauer off the roster before the next turn through the rotation. Lauer is expected to eventually move to the bullpen, serving as a long-relief option.