The Los Angeles Dodgers are “optimistic” that they avoided the “hopeful” that starter Blake Snell will make another start before the end of the regular season.
Snell left Wednesday’s game early with groin tightness, pitching just one inning. After the game, the southpaw told the media the decision to exit was more precautionary than anything else.
Blake Snell’s current status
After checking in with Snell on Thursday and Friday following his start, the Dodgers manager believes Snell will start at some point in the remaining eight games after Friday.
As for the nature of his pitching appearance, Roberts expects a normal workload, possibly pulling the plug a bit early out of precaution, but mindful that Snell would benefit from the running.
“I think it’d be more of a normal start, maybe not pushing him a ton, given we don’t know how the season’s going to play out,” Roberts said on Friday, September 18th, before the game.
“But this will be his last regular season start, so I think it’d be more of a regular start.”
Could the Dodgers skip his turn?
Naturally, Roberts was asked whether it would be best to avoid having him pitch at all, out of caution.
The skipper explained that, given the nature of a possible bye and so many days off, there are downsides to letting him go cold.
“There is a thought, but you’re still talking about a potential 17 days [in between starts],” Roberts explained.
“That’s a long time to not be in competition, where typically, with his history, you still have rehabs and things like that.
“So it’s not just plug-and-play: sit it out for two weeks and pitch in a playoff game.”
Given Snell’s history of groin-related injuries, the Dodgers would be wise to proceed cautiously, but their willingness to feel good about him starting should inspire confidence.
The real test will be how he goes day by day, as the Dodgers still have time to change course.
