The Los Angeles Dodgers are primed to move one step closer to having a healthy starting rotation when Blake Snell comes off the 60-day injured list on Tuesday.
Snell began the season on the IL because of left shoulder fatigue and only made one start upon getting activated. But Snell’s second stint to the injured list was due to loose bodies in his left elbow that required surgery. Now the 32-year-old is fully healthy and looking forward to being back with the Dodgers for the stretch run.
Blake Snell enjoyed challenges of rehab assignment
Snell’s impending return is coming after a rehab assignment that consisted of four starts. He pitched twice for Triple-A Oklahoma City, then reported to Single-A Ontario for one outing before finishing with the Comets.
“The one in Ontario, I liked that because I could pitch, I could compete and figure out what they could do and didn’t do,” Snell told Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA of the takeaways from his rehab progression. “Make adjustments and dominate.”
While with the Tower Buzzers, he allowed just one hit and struck out nine batters over four scoreless innings. But in Snell’s final rehab start with the Comets, pitching at hitter-friendly The Ballpark at America First Square in Jordan, Utah, presented a unique set of circumstances.
Snell walked four batters, gave up two home runs and got through just 3.2 innings. The Dodgers set a goal of five innings pitched.
“The last start in Salt Lake, I was happy with because you can’t pitch there,” he said. “You’re pitching on the moon; the ball doesn’t move. I’d throw a changeup, and it cuts. I’d throw a curveball, and it’s a swing-and-miss pitch, but I can’t even throw it on the ground because it’s just spinning.
“So I was really frustrated because there’s no competing in Salt Lake. You’re just trying to survive out there. That was super frustrating, but coming here and playing catch, I’ll throw a bullpen [Sunday], the way the ball is coming out, and how I can throw the pitches how I want, extremely excited.
“I can’t wait for Tuesday. I’m in a really good spot. I love where I’m at and I love what I’m going to be able to do coming back.”
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