Blake Snell hasn’t thrown a pitch in a real game since May 9. That’s about to change, but barely.
The Dodgers left-hander, who underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow in late May, is scheduled for a bullpen session on Friday. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Snell’s outing will be limited to 15 pitches. All fastballs. No breaking stuff. No changeups. Just heat.
It’s a small step, but it’s the first real throwing Snell has done since being placed on the 60-day IL on May 29, retroactive to May 12. Roberts shared the update on the team’s flagship radio show, and it’s about as cautious as you’d expect for a guy coming off a surgical procedure.
Snell made exactly one start this season before the elbow became an issue. That came against the Braves, and it wasn’t pretty. He lasted just three innings, gave up four earned runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out five. The Dodgers lost 7-2.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Snell since he signed that massive five-year, $182 million deal with Los Angeles in 2025. He only pitched in 11 games last year because of left shoulder fatigue, though he did power through it in the playoffs and helped the club win its second straight World Series. So there’s a track record of him battling through stuff when it matters.
The 33-year-old southpaw has never been a workhorse, but he’s been effective when healthy. Over his career with the Rays, Padres, Giants, and now the Dodgers, Snell owns a 3.17 ERA and a 1.223 WHIP with 1,445 strikeouts. He’s only made one All-Star team, but that undersells how good he can be in stretches.
Friday’s bullpen is just the first hurdle. He’ll need to build up arm strength, mix in secondary pitches, face live hitters, and eventually go on a rehab assignment before the Dodgers even think about activating him. The team has not set a timeline for his return, and with only 15 fastballs on the docket, nobody should expect Snell back before the All-Star break at the earliest.
For now, this is a progress report with a cautious tone. Snell is throwing again. That’s the headline. The rest is just waiting.
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