LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Saturday transferred Blake Snell to the 60-day injured list to facilitate the return of Clayton Kershaw to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. The move doesn’t change much regarding Snell’s return timeline as he just resumed throwing this week.
Snell last pitched for the Dodgers on April 2, and has been sidelined ever since with left shoulder inflammation. Moving him to the 60-day IL just means the earliest he could be activated is June 2. Snell played catch from 60 feet on Wednesday, but will still need to throw off a mound and face hitters before even beginning a rehab assignment, so his return will take some time.
Kershaw missed the Dodgers’ first 45 games while recovering from last November’s left big toe surgery. He made five minor league rehab starts, and with his start against the Angels will tie a franchise record by playing in his 18th season.
To make room on the active roster for Kershaw’s activation off the 60-day injured list, the Dodgers optioned reliever Ryan Loutos to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Loutos, acquired from the Cardinals for cash considerations on May 1, was called up on Friday, and pitched the ninth inning in the series opener against the Angels. He’s the 25th pitcher used by the Dodgers this season, most in MLB.
Kershaw will be the 26th pitcher.