There has not been a lack of coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff this season, which has been decimated with key injuries to starters and high-leverage bullpen arms.
For Blake Snell in particular, what was first thought to be a harmless shoulder injury that may see him miss a couple of starts has turned into him being placed on the 60-day Injured List, and it’s unclear when he will begin throwing off the mound.
Advertisement
The Dodgers are being careful with their key starters, which is understandable, but it is starting to affect the team on a night-in-night-out basis, having to rely on many unproven starters.
Earlier this week, Blake Snell himself shared a message on how he should have handled the injury while talking to Dodgers insider David Vassegh on AM 570 LA Sports:
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“I probably should have stopped throwing before opening day but I just wanted to pitch so bad,” Snell said.
While it’s encouraging that Snell wanted to pitch for Los Angeles that badly that he battled through injury, he may have put himself in jeopardy for an extended return to the mound.
Advertisement
Los Angeles are extremely strategic in their moves, and it isn’t surprising that the organization, and Snell himself, are taking this injury slow in order for him to be fully ready for August and beyond.
The two-time CY Young winner is a treat to watch when he is healthy, and has had similar situations. Last season with the San Francisco Giants, Snell was late to sign with the team and didn’t pitch until nearly July. After that, he was dominant down the stretch, proving he is one of the game’s best on the mound.
Related: Andrew Friedman Breaks Silence on Recent Dodgers Decisions