Dodgers Fans, Get Ready — Blake Snell AND Treinen Could Be Back Sooner Than You Think

As the MLB season hits its summer stride, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves once again in a familiar position: near the top of the standings, stacked with talent, and primed for a deep postseason run. But even amid success, questions have loomed over the team’s pitching staff — particularly surrounding the health and availability of key arms like Blake Snell and Blake Treinen.

Now, whispers from inside the organization and recent developments suggest that both Snell and Treinen may return sooner than expected — news that could have seismic implications for the Dodgers’ championship aspirations. For fans who have been anxiously watching the rehab updates, it’s time to pay attention: things are changing fast, and the Dodgers are about to get even scarier.

Blake Snell: A Slow Start, But a Dangerous Finish?

When the Dodgers signed Blake Snell in a late-offseason move, the baseball world was stunned. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, fresh off a dominant campaign with the San Diego Padres, was expected to provide Los Angeles with a lethal left-handed presence in their rotation. Instead, what followed was an all-too-familiar narrative of early struggles and nagging injuries.

After a shaky start to the season, Snell was placed on the injured list with what was initially described as “left adductor tightness” — a vague and frustrating diagnosis that had fans worried. Reports indicated that Snell had been “pitching through discomfort” for weeks before being shut down. But now, just weeks after speculation that he might not return until late in the year — if at all — the tone around his rehab has shifted dramatically.

Signs of a Comeback: Snell Throwing Again

Dodgers insiders and beat reporters have noted that Snell has resumed throwing off flat ground and is expected to begin bullpen sessions “within days.” More importantly, manager Dave Roberts recently gave an optimistic update, stating that Snell is “progressing faster than anticipated” and could be on track to return before the All-Star break.

That’s a major development. Not just because it accelerates his timeline, but because it suggests that the injury might have been less severe than feared — and more about precaution than crisis. For a player like Snell, who thrives on rhythm and command, an early-season reset could actually work in his favor, allowing him to enter the second half fresh and firing.

Why Snell’s Return Could Transform the Rotation

The Dodgers’ rotation has been strong, but not without its inconsistencies. While Tyler Glasnow has been spectacular and Gavin Stone has emerged as a promising young arm, others — including James Paxton and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — have had their share of up-and-down performances.

Snell’s return would bring left-handed balance, playoff pedigree, and a strikeout weapon that could dominate in high-leverage games. His career postseason ERA of 2.83 is no accident — and his ability to neutralize dangerous lefty bats gives the Dodgers more matchup flexibility than any other potential mid-season addition could.

Just imagine a late-season rotation of Glasnow, Snell, Yamamoto, Stone, and a healthy Walker Buehler. It’s not just good — it’s potentially the best in baseball.

And Then There’s Treinen: The Bullpen Wild Card

While the headlines have focused on the starting staff, another story is quietly gaining steam in the Dodgers’ bullpen — the potential return of Blake Treinen, one of the most dominant relievers in baseball when healthy.

Treinen, who missed most of 2022 and all of 2023 due to shoulder surgery, has been rehabbing with Triple-A Oklahoma City and, according to several scouts, “looks electric.” His fastball has reportedly touched 98 mph, and his trademark slider is showing the late movement that once made him nearly unhittable.

Treinen’s journey back has been a long one, and at times, it looked like he might never return to form. But the fact that the Dodgers are now seriously considering activating him before July is a signal of confidence — and a sign that they may be preparing to unleash a bullpen weapon few teams can match.

Rebuilding the Bullpen Around Experience and Power

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been effective, thanks in part to Evan Phillips, Daniel Hudson, and Alex Vesia, but it has lacked the dominant, late-inning presence that Treinen once represented. His return would allow Roberts to reimagine bullpen roles, shifting matchups and reducing wear on key arms heading into October.

Treinen, when healthy, is not just a closer — he’s a multi-inning weapon who can enter in the 6th, 7th, or 8th and erase a threat before it grows. That kind of pitcher is invaluable in the postseason, especially in a National League stacked with high-OBP teams and elite offenses.

If Treinen returns to even 80% of his 2021 form — when he posted a 1.99 ERA and a staggering 13.0 K/9 — the Dodgers will have effectively added a top-tier reliever without giving up a single prospect.

A Team Already Built for October — Getting Stronger

What’s most exciting about the potential returns of Snell and Treinen isn’t just their individual talent — it’s what they represent for a team already playing at an elite level. The Dodgers have managed to lead the NL West without two of their most feared arms. That’s not just impressive — it’s a sign of depth, smart roster management, and elite coaching.

Adding Snell to the rotation gives the Dodgers matchup flexibility, left-right balance, and the ability to rest younger pitchers who may be nearing career-high workloads. It also helps cover for the uncertainty around Buehler’s ongoing recovery and any further setbacks to Paxton.

Meanwhile, Treinen’s return allows the team to shorten games — turning every contest into a six-inning battle instead of nine. With Treinen, Phillips, Hudson, and Vesia, the Dodgers would have multiple options to bridge to the final out — and could adapt to any playoff opponent with surgical precision.

A Wake-Up Call for the National League

The return of Snell and Treinen should serve as a warning shot to the rest of the National League. The Dodgers, already the most complete team in the NL, are about to get better. They’ve weathered injuries, built depth, and sustained excellence despite adversity — and now reinforcements are coming.

For teams like the Braves, Phillies, and Brewers, this means recalibrating expectations. The Dodgers aren’t coasting — they’re escalating. And if Snell and Treinen return to anything close to their peak form, the NL pennant may run through Chavez Ravine yet again.

What Fans Should Watch Next

For fans eagerly waiting, here’s what matters most: Snell’s first bullpen session and Treinen’s activation window. If both players stay on schedule, they could be back in the Dodgers’ dugout before August — giving them a full two months to reintegrate and ramp up.

That timeline is critical. Unlike last-minute trade deadline acquisitions, who often need time to adjust, both Snell and Treinen are already familiar with the Dodgers system, the coaching staff, and the expectations that come with wearing that uniform.

This also allows the front office — led by Andrew Friedman — to make smarter, more calculated decisions at the trade deadline. If Snell and Treinen are back and effective, the Dodgers may not need to overpay for pitching reinforcements. That gives them more leverage and more flexibility in shaping their postseason roster.

The Final Word: Get Ready

This is not just another midseason update. This is a moment of transformation. The Dodgers, long regarded as one of the most well-run organizations in baseball, are about to bring back two of the most talented arms in the league — and they’re doing it without sacrificing their farm system or overextending their payroll.

For Dodgers fans, this is the time to tune in, to get excited, and to believe big. Snell and Treinen may not be saviors — but they could be the final pieces in a championship puzzle that’s been in the works for years.

So get ready. Because the Dodgers are coming, and they might be stronger than ever.