Blake Snell makes dominant return to Dodgers rotation with 10 strikeouts vs Royals

Dave Roberts said multiple times in recent days that Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell looks like a man “on a mission.”Turns out, the veteran skipper might have been underselling it.In his latest return from a long-term injury with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Snell started making up for lost time in a hurry, spinning a six-inning, one-run gem against the Kansas City Royals to kickstart what he hopes is a dominant finish to the year.The left-hander began the night looking almost untouchable, retiring not only the first 10 batters he faced but seven of them via strikeout. He gave up a run in the fourth (which only came after a broken-bat single, seeing-eye grounder and sacrifice fly) but stranded a couple of runners in scoring position later in that inning, then another at third base with no outs in the fifth.And from there, he put a promising final touch on his long-awaited return to the Dodgers’ rotation, punctuating a three-hit, one-walk, 10-strikeout night by retiring the side in the sixth inning.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story It was, even with a limited workload of 84 pitches, a resounding reminder of his two-time Cy Young Award-winning talent. “Just talking to Blake over the last couple weeks, he’s as good as he’s felt in a long time,” Roberts said pregame.

“There’s a little swagger.There’s a little kind of standing tall.”Staying upright at all, of course, has been a challenge for the 33-year-old star pitcher ever since he signed a $182 million contract with the Dodgers two offseasons ago.In his first spring with the team, he developed a shoulder injury that would plague him throughout the 2025 regular season, limiting him to just 11 starts.

And though he returned in time to play a key role in the playoffs –– making fiv...