The process for Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell to come off the injured list was derailed after he felt a twinge, but manager Dave Roberts revealed that the MRI showed no structural damage.
The Dodgers have placed much of the responsibility in the rotation on Snell, but the two-time Cy Young winner has not pitched since April 2 due to inflammation in his left shoulder
Snell’s throwing program was shut down by the Dodgers earlier this week after he felt discomfort. Thursday’s MRI results were cause for optimism, Roberts said.
“At some point I think they’ll give him an injection to calm him down, and then we’ll see when we resume the launch program,” Roberts said, adding: “But I think, given the MRI results, we think we’ve avoided a problem.”
Help is on the way for the Dodgers’ rotation
The Dodgers still do not know how long Snell, 32, will be out, Roberts added. They signed the veteran starter to a seven-year, $182 million contract last November to play a major role in their injury-plagued rotation, but Snell was injured after two season-opening starts.
The Dodgers rotation has been sustained by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow, who are scheduled for this weekend’s series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but while Glasnow recovers, help is on the way.
Clayton Kershaw threw more than three innings of one-run ball in a rehab start with Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday. Tony Gonsolin threw more than five innings of two-run ball in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
This Friday, Roberts also announced that Shohei Ohtani will pitch a new bullpen session this Saturday, but his debut date on the mound for the Dodgers is still up in the air.
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