Dodgers Suddenly Scratch Blake Snell Hours Ahead of Scheduled Start
The Dodgers scratched Blake Snell on Friday, hours before the left-hander was scheduled to take the mound in Anaheim against the Angels.
Snell is six days removed from his 2026 debut, a three-inning start against the Atlanta Braves. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, right-handed reliever Will Klein is likely to open a bullpen game in place of the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
The Dodgers are scratching Blake Snell ahead of his start against the Angels tonight. They'll go with a bullpen game instead, likely with Will Klein to start. #Dodgers
- Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) May 15, 2026
No reason was immediately available for the last-minute switch. For the Dodgers, the main concern is Snell's health after he delayed his 2026 debut nearly six weeks because of shoulder fatigue.
Snell made five starts for the Dodgers in the 2025 postseason. He went 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA, in what the Dodgers hoped would be a preview of a full 2026 season.
Instead, the physical toll of his October performance carried over into the new season. He did not pitch in the Cactus League season, and did not make a minor league rehabilitation start until April 22.
Snell was originally set to make another rehab start last Saturday. One day prior to the game, it was announced he would pitch for the Dodgers against the Braves instead. It didn't go well.
Snell allowed six hits, five runs (four earned) and two walks in three innings against the Braves. The Dodgers lost 7-2.
All six hits were singles, and a fielding error behind Snell made it harder for him to make the most of his 77 pitches. Despite the loss, it wasn't a discouraging start in a vacuum. Now, however, it's fair to ask whether Snell came back too soon.
More to come on this story.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/onsi as Dodgers Suddenly Scratch Blake Snell Hours Ahead of Scheduled Start.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 1:33 PM.