Dodgers' optimistic post-All-Star plans are coming together with Blake Snell rehab

Back in June, Andrew Friedman foreshadowed a quiet trade deadline for the Dodgers, specifically in the realm of pitching. He cited the team's hope that their many injured starters would return between the All-Star break and the deadline, which would take some pressure off of the front office to buy starters.

Tyler Glasnow's return on July 9 helped support that argument a little, but there were still question marks hanging around Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin. With Shohei Ohtani having only pitched up to three innings so far, it's unclear if he's going to be a realistic postseason option.

Gambling on the returns of injured starters is risky, especially because Snell and Glasnow had made little progress at the time of Friedman's initial optimism, but it might actually be paying off for the Dodgers. During the All-Star Game in Atlanta, Snell was in Glendale with the ACL Dodgers, pitching the second start of his rehab assignment.

He threw three innings and gave up one run, but otherwise positively bullied those poor opposing teenagers and struck out seven. Blake Treinen followed Snell for his third rehab appearance and gave up a run on a solo homer.

Blake Snell, Blake Treinen's positive early returns from rehab assignments are exactly what Dodgers need

The Dodgers have been linked to Marlins ace (?) Sandy Alcantara since Friedman said he hoped to not have much work to do at the deadline, but Bob Nightengale characterized it as "lurking," and Alcantara has gone back to struggling heavily in Miami. His price tag has never been lower, so the Dodgers could still try to swing a deal for a little extra assurance, but Snell coming back would make it more of a luxury than a necessity.

Dave Roberts also shared some tentatively positive news on Sasaki, when he said that he was hopeful for a late-August return for the rookie. Both Sasaki and Snell still have a lot to prove — Sasaki that his manic free agency wasn't all hype, Snell that he deserves the $182 million the Dodgers are paying him over the next five years.

There was a time when Snell's progress was so frustrating that Dodgers fans might've wondered if he'd even get back to the mound this season. But he's well on his way, and hopefully he'll save the Dodgers some money and some prospects at the deadline.