Blake Snell Likely Headed for Elbow Surgery After New Setback
Blake Snell was scratched again and is now likely headed for elbow surgery, per reports. Here’s what it means for the Dodgers’ rotation amid mounting injuries.
LOS ANGELES, CA—After turning a corner in their recent lull by taking the final two games against their National League West rival, the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers were set to hand the ball on Friday to left-hander Blake Snell for his second start of the season.
However, that was not the case, as Snell was an early scratch, which was later revealed to be a second stint on the injured list due to loose bodies in his left pitching elbow.
Before yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that everything was on the table for Snell’s elbow, including surgery, as fellow pitcher Edwin Díaz underwent last month.
Now, according to Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times, surgery seems to be the likely outcome for Snell.
Surgery, however, is the likely outcome, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. It’s unclear how invasive a potential surgical procedure would be — a significant factor in determining how much time Snell could miss.
If Snell chose to undergo rehab, it would involve rest and a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation. His response to this treatment would then dictate the subsequent steps and his possible timeline for returning.
Still, the injury of loose bodies in his pitching elbow is nothing new for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, as Snell underwent a similar procedure in 2019, where he missed from late-July until mid-September.
Like Díaz, the general timeline for recovery from surgery is around 2-3 months; however, fellow Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal also underwent the procedure earlier this month and has already started a throwing program, so it’s different for everyone.
Regardless of which option the Dodgers go with, the loss of Snell is significant for the long-term rotation plans, especially with Roki Sasaki continuing to struggle at the backend and the loss of Tyler Glasnow.