While the Los Angeles Dodgers have surged to a comfortable lead in the National League West and enter play Sunday tied for the best record in baseball, they still remain shorthanded as the likes of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Treinen and Roki Sasaki are among those on the injured list.
Manager Dave Roberts recently expressed confidence that the injured Dodgers pitchers would return this season, though that then was followed by ominous updates on Sasaki. The rookie has since gotten back on track and is making progress in his recovery, even if it’s at a slow pace.
Meanwhile, Glasnow is in the midst of a rehab assignment, and Treinen and Snell are on a schedule of throwing bullpen sessions.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Snell got his velocity up during a bullpen on Saturday and is poised to pitch against batters this week:
“[Saturday] at Dodger Stadium, head trainer Thomas Albert told me that Blake Snell hit 94 miles an hour on his fastball. Blake said he threw 36 pitches, and it looks like he’ll be facing hitters when the Dodgers return home.”
The optimistic note on Snell comes one week after Roberts indicated the left-hander wasn’t particularly close to advancing to a simulated game.
Snell has been on the injured list since April 6 (backdated to April 3) due to left shoulder inflammation. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL on May 17, which made June 2 the earliest date Snell could be activated.
Though, that never appeared to be a realistic possibility anyhow given the initial trouble Snell had in his recovery process. A throwing program was shut down in late April and Snell required an injection to treat lingering pain/discomfort in his left shoulder.
Despite the prolonged absence, the Dodgers and Snell have found comfort in multiple MRIs not revealing any structural damage in his shoulder.
Blake Snell’s recovery
Snell restarted a throwing program in the middle of May and has continued to make progress without any setbacks. His first bullpen session at Petco Park went well and Snell anticipated it serving as a good springboard moving forward.
“The bullpen was really good,” he said at the time. “I actually have an idea of what I’m going to do, so it’s exciting. I think I can kind of push a little bit, but they’re also going to push back. Hoping to be back sooner than later, and get going. I think the next bullpen will be fastballs and then hopefully I could throw a changeup or something.
“Start pushing that and find a way back. As long as I’m throwing like this, and I feel healthy and good, I don’t see why not. I think they’ll agree with me and move forward.”
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