The Los Angeles Dodgers envisioned pitcher Blake Snell as part of a five-headed monster in the rotation. He will not be able to make an impact for some time.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Snell “didn’t feel great” after playing catch on Tuesday. He will be shut down for the time being, with Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reporting that Snell will be re-examined once the Dodgers return to Los Angeles.
Snell was part of another impressive spending spree for the Dodgers, signing a five-year, $182 million contract during the offseason. The two-time Cy Young award winner posted a 3.12 ERA and a 1.048 WHIP over his 104 innings in 2024, striking out 145 batters with 44 walks. After signing with the Giants late in spring training, Snell missed time due to a pair of stints on the Injured List.
Snell had a checkered injury history before signing in Los Angeles. He made only two starts before being sidelined with left shoulder discomfort, allowing seven runs, two earned, on 10 hits and eight walks over nine innings, striking out four. While Snell’s defense did not do him any favors in his last start on April 2, it is fair to wonder if he was injured heading into that matchup.
The Dodgers’ pitching depth has already been tested this season. Snell is one of 12 pitchers, not including two-way star Shohei Ohtani, presently on the IL. While Harris did note that the Dodgers are not overly concerned about Snell’s latest bout of soreness, it is ominous news for a team whose pitching staff has been decimated by injuries to start the year.
