dailyloe.com – The Los Angeles Dodgers are anticipating the return of pitchers Blake Snell and Brock Stewart, while Mookie Betts is nearing his own rehab assignment.
Snell made his first rehab start on Wednesday with the Single-A Tower Buzzers. Stewart has already made four appearances across two levels in the Minors.
Betts has been throwing, running, and taking ground balls, and has recently resumed swinging, which was the last major hurdle before he can begin taking live at-bats.
Betts has completed these tasks without discomfort, although there is some residual irritation. Manager Dave Roberts stated he is unsure when Betts will begin his rehab assignment but noted that it will be soon.
“He’s taking BP from a coach in the cage now, so that’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “He says he doesn’t feel it swinging the bat, throwing.”
Roberts mentioned that Betts felt some discomfort while running a few days ago. “My assumption is he’ll go out on a rehab assignment and take a couple games to get some at-bats, get his legs back. He’s getting closer,” he added.
Roberts could not specify if the assignment would begin next weekend or the following Monday but expressed optimism about Betts’ progress.
Brock Stewart is in the second week of his rehab assignment, with expectations of needing about three weeks before returning to the Dodgers. He made his fourth appearance on Friday.
Roberts has expressed satisfaction with Stewart’s progress. “Brock’s been really good. So he’s in OKC, and it’s been good,” he said.
Stewart needs to complete two appearances in a three-day stretch and pitch on back-to-back days before the Dodgers clear him. “That would probably be in about three, four or five days,” Roberts noted.
Roberts outlined the plan for Stewart, emphasizing the need for a couple of days of recovery to evaluate how he responds. “Things can change, but that’s sort of the plan,” he stated.
Blake Snell made his first appearance of the season after missing time due to injury, and his recovery is being monitored closely.
