Dodgers News: Snell Reveals Shoulder Injury Plagued Him Before Start of Regular Season
LOS ANGELES—Blake Snell, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ prized offseason acquisition, has only made two starts this season and has missed several weeks with shoulder discomfort.
Snell, 32, inked a massive 5-year, $182 million contract this winter after taking a stop-gap option deal with the Dodgers’ National League West rival San Francisco Giants last season.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner finally got the long-term big contract he sought during the 2024 offseason, and earlier than most big free agents after not taking a chance signing in back-to-back spring training.
However, this season, Snell has been absent. The lefty has only made two starts in the regular season, each with mixed results, issuing eight walks to just seven strikeouts.
After his last start against the Atlanta Braves on April 4th, when Snell tossed four innings but allowed five earned runs, the lefty would not make another start, being placed on the 15-day injured list.
It seemed like a sudden injury, but given Snell’s history of injuries, it was somewhat expected. However, entering the season, there were no reports of Snell battling any arm injuries.
However, in an interview with Dodgers insider David Vassegh of AM 570, Snell revealed that the shoulder injury had been a problem since the team was in Japan and that he wished he had not tried to pitch through it to start the season.
“I probably should have stopped throwing before Opening Day, but I just wanted to pitch so bad.”
Snell has resumed his throwing program after a visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache and is in the midst of trying to make his way back to the mound.
Still, it’s an uphill battle for Snell, who is not unfamiliar with missing significant chunks of a season. Even last year, He missed most of the first half with a groin injury but was arguably the best pitcher in baseball upon his return, and that’s a story the Dodgers would love to replicate.
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