Blake Snell has been limited in his second Spring Training with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a left shoulder issue that resurfaced during the 2025 postseason.
Snell logged 34 innings across six playoff appearances (five starts) and began to wane in effectiveness as the Dodgers got deeper into October. He previously dealt with shoulder discomfort that caused him to miss four months during the regular season.
Snell didn’t have a normal offseason throwing program and reported to Camelback Ranch behind schedule. He nevertheless has made progress and recently advanced to playing long toss.
Snell is now poised to throw off a mound this week for the first time in Spring Training, via Doug Padilla of the Southern California News Group:
Left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) is pain-free and starting his throwing program, with the goal of throwing from a mound in some capacity this week.
Snell throwing off a mound would represent a major checkpoint in his recovery. He would then have to throw bullpen sessions, face batters and potentially complete a Minor League rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers.
It is unlikely that Snell will pitch in a Cactus League game this year, but manager Dave Roberts did not completely rule out the possibility.
“I don’t know if that could change,” Roberts said earlier this month. “And all I know is, once guys get on the mound and start throwing bullpens and throwing to hitters, then it kind of is more on my radar, so I don’t know that right now.”
Blake Snell doesn’t want to repeat mistake of pitching through injury
Unlike last season when he pushed through discomfort, Snell wants to make sure he is completely healthy before pitching in a game for the Dodgers this year.
“I think he’s working through it in the sense that, last year, he was on a new team. He pushed through things to start the season healthy, which is understandable, and you learn from it,” Roberts said.
“He was never right all year. I think that this year he’s going to make sure that he is ready to go, and once he starts, to start healthy and finish strong. And so I do think that he feels comfort in knowing that we need him, we count on him, we believe in him.”
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