Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell is on his way back from elbow surgery, and he has made two rehabilitation starts already down in Triple-A.
Snell was only able to go 2.2 innings last night, and while the Dodgers wanted him to pitch three full innings, the organization is happy with his response to his outing.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Snell felt good after his appearance, and his next appearance is scheduled for four innings.
In total, Snell has pitched four innings for OKC, allowing three hits in total, one run, and notching seven strikeouts.
Additionally, Snell has only walked one hitter, showing some good command, which was not as sharp during his season debut for the Dodgers.
Snell’s fastball, during his last outing, was in the 95-97 mph range, which is quite typical for him.
Snell was at 96.4 mph during his only appearance against the Braves, while his season average was 95.1 mph in 2025.
When can Blake Snell return?
After his outing next week, the Dodgers will “read and react,” according to Dave Roberts, opening the door for his rehab assignment to be cut short and return to the Dodgers earlier than expected.
Given it has been months on the injured list, the Dodgers tend to give players the maximum amount of time to recover, but if Snell feels good, they may pull the trigger earlier.
The Dodgers did the same during his season debut, pulling him from a start in Ontario to pitch against the Braves, but he was put on the injured list right after.
This time, however, Snell feels great.
“I’m so good right now,” Snell said. “I can’t wait to pitch. Probably the best I’ve felt in two years,” Snell said.
“I’m pain-free. I always had some form of pain, but you just battle through it. I thought it was just going to be there forever.
“I was, ‘Alright, it’s something I’m just going to have to deal with. I’ll battle through it.’ Then I had the surgery and as soon as I started throwing again I was, ‘Hey, my shoulder feels good.” I was in great spirits, just real happy. … I have no more pain in my arm.
“I throw freely. My body feels great. I can locate a pitch where I want too now. That’s pretty cool. All the time now, not just once in awhile.”
Given where Snell is at, Dodgers fans can expect him back in early August, if things go to plan.
One Response
Here we go again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Sho is having chronic problems with his knee – I have watched every game he has played in as a Dodger and I have never seen him run as HARD as he did last in trying to stretch a double into a triple. As he was heading towards second, I was yelling STOP, STOP AT 2ND………..but oh no…………he thought he was running the 100 yard dash at the Olympics…….there were no outs……….he had the top of the batting order coming up…..the score was tied…… he felt it was absolutely necessary to try for third. Before the game, it was reported by the LAD, that his knee was definitely feeling better. What was best for the team last night was for him to take a dbl and let his teammates fullfil their responsibilities.
Now we have Snell, who has been out for 3 months and all he can tell us is how fantastic he arm fells. He ONLY could pitch 2.2 innings. He wants to shorten his rehab program. Maybe he feels guilty because of what happened to him last year because of the missed starts so he wants to pitch RIGHT NOW. When he returns to pitching this year, LAD mgmt wants him to going 5 innings so they don’t have to overload their bullpen. What is best for the team, is that he takes his time in returning so he doesn’t risk further damage to his arm.