The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed left-handed pitcher Blake Snell on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder. The move is retroactive to April 3rd. To fill Snell’s spot on the active roster, right-hander Matt Sauer has been called up from Triple-A.
Los Angeles Dodgers Move Blake Snell To IL
Despite issuing eight walks across nine innings pitched in his initial two starts of the season, Snell had achieved a 2.00 ERA. According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, the shoulder issue appears to have developed between Snell’s last outing on April 2nd and a bullpen session today, as Snell reportedly discussed the matter with general manager Brandon Gomes and team trainer Thomas Albert following the bullpen.
This marks the tenth instance of Snell being placed on the injured list throughout his ten major league seasons, continuing a career trend characterized by both health concerns and early-season struggles. Snell has a notable pattern of being a slow starter, holding a 3.95 ERA in 555 2/3 innings pitched before the All-Star break, compared to a 2.32 ERA in 500 innings during the second halves of seasons.
Regardless of these statistical splits, Blake Snell’s talent is undeniable when he is at his best, a fact underscored by his two Cy Young Awards. The 2024 season with the Giants further illustrated Snell’s tendency for variability. After signing late in Spring Training, he endured a challenging first three months marked by injury and inconsistent performance. However, he experienced a significant turnaround, posting a remarkable 1.23 ERA over his final 80 1/3 innings of the season.