Blake Snell Takes First Step in Return to Dodgers, Has No Concrete Timeline to Return
This was not how the Dodgers drew it up out of spring training.
Blake Snell was the prized acquisition during a busy offseason. He was projected to come in and be the team’s ace. After two starts, Snell was placed on the 15-day IL on April 7 with shoulder inflammation.
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Of course, any time a pitcher is dealing with a shoulder issue, there’s some real cause for concern. In Snell’s case, at 32 years of age, it’s about the last thing he’d want to endure short of a season-ending arm issue.
When speaking to the media, manager Dave Roberts offered an update on his talented left-handed pitcher. Things seemed rather optimistic all things considered.
Snell played catch Monday for the first time since going on the IL. He made 20-30 throws at about 90 feet. Roberts did offer this specifically on a possible return timeline:
“I don’t know exactly. I think just kind of how he’s feeling, the recovery, the progression. The throw looked good, his arm action was clean. He said he felt better than expected.”
Roberts then was asked whether Snell would make a rehab start in Triple-A before rejoining the big club:
“I think that’s contingent on how long he’s down for. The longer [he’s down], the more possibility. If it’s on the shorter side, then probably not.”
A heavy sigh of relief must’ve come with Snell already beginning to throw the baseball. As previously mentioned, any issue having to do with a pitcher’s shoulder must be taken seriously — particularly when the pitcher is in his 30s and is making more than $180 million over the course of five years.
With Snell down, the Dodgers have relied on Landon Knack and Bobby Miller to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, both pitchers struggled and have since been sent down.
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Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Snell should have been given extended rest before beginning any throwing program. Roberts is making the same mistakes he made last year when the Dodgers had the most pitching injuries of any team. The remaining pitchers who survived going into the postseason, including their excellent hitting, baseball running and defense won the WS for the Dodgers, not Roberts and his coaches.