Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on June 26, 2026 that Blake Snell will not pitch before the All-Star break and that Edwin Diaz's return-to-play timeline remains unknown.
Roberts stated that Snell threw a 15-pitch bullpen session observed by Tyson Ross, and that the session went well. However, Roberts was direct about the outlook: "No. No chance," he said when asked whether Snell could return before the All-Star break, adding that Snell will need to build up from scratch. Roberts noted the team went through the ramp-up process once before and it did not go well.
On Diaz, Roberts acknowledged the situation has become a concern. "It's concerning in the sense that it's a lot longer than we've expected," he said, while adding that the team does not believe it is a long-term condition. Diaz is still not performing baseball activities, and Roberts stated it is less likely that Diaz returns at the beginning of the 2027 season, though no specific date has been determined.
Roberts also addressed an in-game miscommunication between Dalton Rushing and Shohei Ohtani, noting he had conversations with both players afterward. He explained that Ohtani is very particular about what he wants to throw on the mound, drawing a comparison to Clayton Kershaw in that catchers must be in sync with him or he becomes frustrated. Roberts deferred more detailed questions about the Ohtani-Rushing dynamic to pitching coach Mark Prior, and expressed confidence that all parties would be aligned going forward.
Roberts discussed Tucker's return to the lineup after a back issue that also served as a mental reset, with mechanical adjustments addressed during the time off. Looking ahead to a matchup against Walker Buehler, Roberts said he would be watching Tucker's pitch selection and zone control against Buehler's cut fastballs, curveballs, and changeups as a key indicator of whether Tucker is back on track. Roberts also acknowledged the humanitarian situation in Venezuela, noting the Dodgers have two Venezuelan players on the roster — Nicky Row and Edgar Henriquez — along with many others in the minor league system, and expressed that the organization wants to raise awareness that lives are being affected.
Roberts said that if Tucker can control the zone against Buehler, "that's a good step in the right direction," framing the at-bats as a meaningful benchmark for Tucker's recovery.