Anthony Arroyo
Blake Snell’s return to the Dodgers’ rotation will take a bit longer than expected. The veteran left-hander has paused his throwing program after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder while playing catch earlier this week.
Snell, who signed a five-year, $182 million deal this past offseason, has been sidelined since early April after just two starts in Dodger Blue. He was on track to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, but that plan was shelved after his latest bout of soreness.
According to manager Dave Roberts, the team is opting for a cautious approach.
“He just didn’t feel quite right,” Roberts said before Wednesday’s game against the Cubs. “We’re going to slow things down and have him re-evaluated once we’re back home.”
Though it’s another setback, the Dodgers aren’t sounding the alarm. Roberts emphasized that the team is focused on having Snell ready for the later stages of the season, not rushing his return.
“If there’s any discomfort at all, we’re not going to push it,” he added.
Snell isn’t the only pitcher the Dodgers are monitoring. Lefty Clayton Kershaw made his second minor league rehab start on Tuesday, tossing three innings and reaching the fourth. His velocity reportedly looked strong, and he’s expected to make another appearance next week.
Meanwhile, right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who left his last outing due to leg cramps, is trending in the right direction after a successful bullpen session.
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has resumed throwing as he works his way back from elbow surgery. His next bullpen session is set for Saturday, though there remains no definitive timeline for his return to the mound.
Catcher Will Smith was absent from Wednesday’s lineup after hurting his wrist on a play at the plate in Tuesday’s contest. The team is considering imaging when they return to Los Angeles, but doesn’t appear overly concerned about the severity of the issue.
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