LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers have become proficient at overcoming injuries with unprecedented roster depth and are close to getting to the other side of a vexing issue once again.
The Dodgers know the routine well. Survive injuries to key players, stay competitive and charge into October.
Except this season could be different. While the Dodgers have dealt with starting pitching challenges come playoff time in recent seasons, this year could be headed down a less challenging road.
Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani already have returned from surgeries. Tyler Glasnow is expected to be back on the next road trip and Blake Snell looks set to make his own return shortly after the All-Star break.
Glasnow and Snell are close to returning from shoulder inflammation.
Snell threw during a live batting practice session Saturday that simulated a two-inning outing, with the highlight coming when he had three strikeouts in his first inning of work. Hyeseong Kim and two minor-leaguers served as opponents as Snell threw his full arsenal of pitches.
“I think it’s all just in your head,” Snell said about getting as much out of a simulated game as possible. “When I go out there, I act like it’s a big-league game, because you don’t know the difference between imagination and what’s real. Just make myself believe it’s a big-league game and it’s big-league hitters, and I need to make pitches and get outs and read swings.”
The Dodgers leave for Milwaukee after Sunday’s game, with Snell staying behind to throw a bullpen session possibly Monday. He will then link up with a minor-league affiliate before the end of the week for a two-inning appearance in an official game.
The club has not said how many starts Snell would need before he comes back, but Glasnow had three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City before he was lined up for his return.
“It’s tough watching all the games, knowing you’re never gonna play. That’s difficult,” Snell said. “You be a good teammate, get excited for the boys. But it’s tough, because when you’re hurt, you’re an outcast. It’s just the way it is. No way around it.
“But then knowing that you’re getting closer, you can feel it. You get more excited to finally do something to help the team. It just becomes very exciting. Now that I have rehab starts coming up, I can feel like I’m more excited. Can’t wait.”
Glasnow’s return to the big-league staff is set for the upcoming trip, which also heads to San Francisco to close out the first half. Roberts has not specified what day Glasnow will pitch.
The goal now is to have a healthy rotation through the second half and into the playoffs instead of scrambling to put together a staff in October. They managed to mix and match their parts to a title last season, but it is far from the preferred route for success.
“It feels good,” Roberts said about key pieces of the rotation about to return. “You know, we’re still not there yet, but I think we can see a little squint of light. It’s taken a little longer than we’ve all expected or hoped for, and as far as getting our guys together. So we haven’t gotten there yet, but we’re hopeful and excited.”
MAKING MOVES
The Dodgers recalled right-hander Jack Little, while right-hander Noah Davis was optioned.
Little, 27, had just one appearance when he was on the roster last month, with his major-league debut a memorable one. He plunked the San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. with a pitch creating a tense moment when both dugouts spilled onto the field in the area behind home plate.
Roberts ended up getting suspended for a game because of an interaction with Padres manager Mike Shildt.
“It was certainly a memorable debut,” Roberts said. “But I think that it’s one of those things that I’m not going to sit down with him and kind of rehash it, but the hope is that you can kind of use it as a footnote, a good story, and then move on from it.”
Little has gone 4-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 29 relief appearances at Oklahoma City this season.
In another personnel move, right-hander Luis Garcia cleared waivers and was officially released after he was designated for assignment Sunday.
BACK IN THE FOLD
Right-hander Emmet Sheehan will be recalled from Oklahoma City to fill the vacant starting spot Sunday against the Astros.
Sheehan made a triumphant return from Tommy John surgery when he gave up one run over four innings with six strikeouts June 18 against the Padres in an eventual 4-3 victory. But he was optioned one day later.
Sheehan had two starts after going back to Triple-A, going six scoreless innings against Sacramento on June 25 before he gave up four runs on six hits in 2⅓ innings Tuesday at Las Vegas.
ALSO
Right-hander Blake Treinen also threw to hitters before Saturday’s game, completing one inning of simulated work. Like Snell, Treinen is on track for a return after the All-Star break. …
Kim was taking ground balls at third base, but he is not expected to play there while Max Muncy is out. Miguel Rojas, Kiké Hernandez and possibly Tommy Edman will pick up time at third instead. …
Left fielder Michael Conforto was out of the lineup against Astros lefty Framber Valdez, with Hernandez playing in left. It was Hernandez’s 20th start in left field, his most of the five positions where he has started this season.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Emmet Sheehan, 0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Astros (TBD), 1:10 p.m. Sunday, SportsNet LA, 530 AM