The Los Angeles Dodgers’ significant offseason addition, Blake Snell, who joined the team on a $182 million contract, has revealed that he has been dealing with soreness in his left shoulder for three weeks. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Snell had hoped to pitch through the discomfort but was unable to complete his recent bullpen session.
Encouragingly, an MRI revealed inflammation without any structural damage.
Los Angeles Dodgers Manager on Blake Snell Injury: “I think everything is in play right now.”
Adding a crucial detail, Snell is scheduled to meet today with the esteemed Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who is traveling with the team as part of their White House visit, suggesting a proactive approach to addressing the issue. While Snell is optimistic that his stint on the injured list could be brief, the ultimate plan for his recovery remains to be determined.
Manager Dave Roberts indicated that various options are being considered, stating, “I think everything is in play right now,” including the possibility of an injection to alleviate the inflammation. This suggests the team is exploring all avenues to expedite Snell’s return to the mound.
However, Snell’s admission of pitching through soreness for an extended period raises questions about whether this discomfort has impacted his initial outings with the World Series champion Dodgers. The 32-year-old left-hander has made two starts thus far, with both outings against the Tigers and Braves seeing him surrender five hits and two strikeouts.
Snell’s current shoulder issue adds to an early list of injuries for the Dodgers, who, despite these challenges, hold a strong 9-2 overall record. Following their White House visit, the team is now embarking on a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals.
Snell, however, will be sidelined from the pitching rotation as he and the team work to resolve his shoulder inflammation, with the consultation with Dr. ElAttrache expected to provide further clarity on the timeline and course of action.