The Los Angeles Dodgers have been eagerly anticipating the return of Blake Snell to their pitching rotation.
After being sidelined with shoulder soreness, Snell has been progressing through his rehabilitation, recently engaging in long toss as an initial step towards recovery.
According to a report from The Orange County Register, Snell took a significant step forward by throwing 30 pitches in a bullpen session to assess his pain tolerance. This marked his first time throwing from the mound since landing on the injured list several weeks prior.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ SP Blake Snell Comments On His Shoulder Pain
Snell provided an update that may temper some expectations among Dodgers fans, acknowledging that “the pain lingers here and there.”
“Hey — I’m 32 now, not 23. Once I get throwing, I’m good,” Snell stated. “When I play catch, I don’t feel it. When I get out here, I’m good. It’s like when I wake up, I gotta get it going.”
The current plan involves another bullpen session for Snell. He will likely need multiple such sessions before advancing to a simulated game or a rehabilitation assignment in Triple-A. Assuming the pain subsides sufficiently, Snell would then be expected to rejoin the Dodgers’ active roster.
To alleviate potential concerns, Snell offered a somewhat reassuring perspective, indicating that his condition is improving. “I just want to pitch. Am I worried about it? No,” Snell said. “I was worried about it when I went on the IL, but not anymore. It feels way better.”
The Dodgers’ pitching rotation has faced considerable disruption throughout the season. While pitchers such as Dustin May, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki have carried a significant load, Snell’s injury, combined with the anticipated returns of Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Tony Gonsolin, and other injured players, has placed a strain on the team’s depth, including the bullpen. The recent injury scare involving Glasnow on Sunday has further compounded these concerns.