The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their first key loss in the rotation when Blake Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation.
Snell was scheduled to start Tuesday, but he was unable to complete a bullpen session without feeling the lingering soreness, so the Dodgers made the decision to shut him down.
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The Dodgers believe Snell will not be out for the long term and think he can recover with rest. That was confirmed by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttache, so the plan is for Snell to start throwing again next week, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
A meeting with head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday confirmed that Snell will not need an injection or any other medical intervention, either.
The plan now is to have Snell begin throwing again at the start of next week.
Even though Snell is set to resume throwing soon, he is still expected to miss at least two starts, if not mainly due to the minimum IL requirement for pitchers.
Snell’s IL stint was backdated to April 3, which makes Friday, April 18, the earliest day he is eligible to return.
Snell revealed his left shoulder pain had persisted for the last few weeks and he attempted to pitch through it.
Thankfully for the Dodgers and Snell, an MRI revealed inflammation but no other damage to his shoulder.
Snell is in the first season of a five-year, $182.5 million contract he signed with the Dodgers. He dealt with a left adductor strain and strained left groin last year.
In 2018, Snell dealt with left shoulder fatigue that led to a stint on the IL, but he has otherwise not previously dealt with a left shoulder injury.
The left-hander was 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, 4.72 FIP and 2.00 WHIP through two starts prior to landing on the IL.
Dodgers pitching without Blake Snell
Justin Wrobleski was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Snell’s scheduled start day, but he figures to be optioned back to the Minors after a rough outing against the Washington Nationals.
Landon Knack is set to join the club to start Wednesday, which the Dodgers planned on to keep the rest of their rotation on their normal rest.
If all goes well, Knack would likely stick around to take Snell’s next scheduled start, or the Dodgers could turn to Bobby Miller or a bullpen game.
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