Dodgers’ Blake Snell set to return to face Rays

The Los Angeles Dodgers were relatively quiet at Thursday's MLB trade deadline, safe in the knowledge that several injured players would be returning soon.

One of those players critical to the team's postseason hopes will rejoin the Dodgers when they continue their three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Left-hander Blake Snell (1-0, 2.00 ERA) is set to make his first start since April 2. He landed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation following his second start of the season.

Snell, 32, posted a 1.32 ERA with a 24-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four minor league rehab starts covering 13 2/3 innings.

Snell spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rays. He is 1-1 with a 6.30 ERA in two career starts against his former team.

Los Angeles opened the series with a 5-0 victory behind another strong showing from first baseman Freddie Freeman, who hit a solo homer and doubled in two runs.

After hitting just one home run in July, Freeman is 14-for-39 (.359) with two home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 10 games.

"It's baseball," Freeman said. "I've been grinding and the work in the cage has been a lot better. I don't know if it's a confidence thing or a swing change, but I'm not going to try to guess what it is. I'm just going to try and keep it going."

The Dodgers are hoping Freeman's hot streak inspires slumping players such as Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman to return to form.

"I think if you look at it from the offensive side, as far as our guys, they'll be the first to tell you they've got to perform better and more consistently," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "That's something that we're all counting on."

Tampa Bay also is seeking more consistency after losing four straight games and 10 of 14 since the All-Star break.

The Rays will send right-hander Drew Rasmussen (8-5, 2.96) to the mound on Saturday. He allowed two runs over five innings in a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees last Monday.

Hernandez is 3-for-15 (.200) against the 30-year-old Rasmussen, who owns a 2.70 ERA in two career relief appearances versus Los Angeles.

The Rays will be without All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda for at least the next three weeks. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist fracture suffered during Thursday's game against the New York Yankees.

"I'm just focusing on what I can do, waiting on that time (of returning), staying positive, controlling what I can control and being there for the team in any way I can," Aranda said.

Tampa Bay is hoping shortstop Ha-Seong Kim can provide a spark while Aranda is sidelined. Kim was activated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday after recovering from a lower back strain and went 1-for-4.

"(Kim) can give us quite the boost," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I don't think at any point we really saw the offense or the lineup that we were expecting to see on a nightly basis because of freak injuries, normal injuries, a bunch of different things. If we can get him back with consistent playing time, he's a player who can certainly help us."

--Field Level Media