PHOENIX (AP) — Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell is expected to make his return from the injured list when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Manager Dave Roberts also said Friday that recently-acquired lefty Tarik Skubal will make his home debut on Monday, also against the Royals.
The 33-year-old Snell has started just one game this season. The left-hander began the season on the injured list with shoulder fatigue, returned for one outing on May 9 against the Atlanta Braves, and then went back on the IL because he needed surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow.
Snell has missed significant time with injuries over the past three years, making just 32 regular-season starts. But he had a crucial role during the Dodgers' run to a second consecutive World Series title last season, striking out 41 batters over 34 innings with a 3.10 ERA.
Skubal — the two-time defending Cy Young winner in the American League — was dealt to the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers in a trade deadline blockbuster last week. He made his first start on the road against the Chicago Cubs, giving up two runs over six innings in a 5-1 loss.
The Dodgers have lost a season-high six games in a row going into Friday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) puts on his baseball cap ahead of the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Tarik Skubal reacts after a play at home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a left glute strain.
The team announced the move among a series of transactions that included the promotion of 2024 first-round draft pick Kaelen Culpepper, who started at shortstop and homered in his major league debut Friday night.
Minnesota called up Culpepper and pitcher Zebby Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul, designated pitcher Taylor Rashi for assignment and optioned infielder Tristan Gray to St. Paul.
Twins manager Derek Shelton wouldn’t speculate on a possible return date for Ryan, who is 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings this season. The two-time All-Star has allowed 17 runs — 16 earned — over 15 1/3 innings over his last three appearances.
“We’ve got to see how he responds to treatment and kind of go from there,” Shelton said before Friday night's game against the Brewers. “To put a number on it, I don’t think it’s fair, because if we put a number on it, then everybody gets attached to that number. And then if you don’t hit that number, then it’s like, ‘What’s the setback?’ Sometimes people just heal differently. We probably won’t have any sort of timeline until he starts throwing again.”
While Ryan went on the injured list, the Twins welcomed a promising infielder to the big leagues.
Culpepper, rated by MLB Pipeline as baseball’s No. 29 overall prospect, got his MLB career off to a smashing start Friday by connecting on an 0-2 pitch from Shane Drohan and delivering a 390-foot shot over the wall in left-center in the fourth inning.
The Twins drafted Culpepper out of Kansas State with the 21st overall pick two years ago.
“I just want to show off, I guess my athleticism, and how hard I work,” Culpepper said before the game. “I’ve been grinding. I’m still grinding. I just want to continue doing what I was doing down in St. Paul here, and just help contribute to what has already been done here. Just looking to make that push, for sure.”
Culpepper, 23, has batted .271 with a .367 on-base percentage, .478 slugging percentage, 14 homers, 46 RBIs and 17 steals in 74 games with St. Paul this season. Shelton noted that Culpepper also has improved his fielding this year.
“That was something we challenged him on going into the offseason and then during spring training,” Shelton said. “He’s done a good job. He’s worked harder. He’s become a better defender. This is a kid who has some tools. That’s why he’s so highly touted.”
Matthews was called up to start Friday night’s game. He was sent to the minors after striking out 10 and allowing three runs over five innings in a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on July 31.
Matthews entered Friday with a 4-8 record and 5.22 ERA in 14 starts with Minnesota this season. He was 3-2 with a 4.72 ERA in seven starts at St. Paul.
Gray was hitting .225 with a .267 on-base percentage, four homers, 29 RBIs and two steals in 66 games with Minnesota. Rashi was 1-0 with a 9.82 ERA in three games.
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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
