Manager Dave Roberts might have to begin the 2026 Major League Baseball season without one of the team’s key players from Game 9 of the last World Series. With the regular season just a month and a half away, it remains unknown when star pitcher Blake Snell might return.
Snell had a lackluster performance in two games of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. He lost both of his starts, allowing 10 earned runs in 11.2 innings.
However, the nine-year veteran made a brief but crucial appearance in relief in the eighth inning of Game 9.
In 1.1 innings, Snell allowed one hit, one walk, and no runs. This allowed Miguel Rojas to tie the game in the ninth with a solo home run, sending the game to extra innings, where the Dodgers won 5-4.
Roberts has bad news about Snell’s condition
Like the entire Dodgers rotation, Snell spent much of the season injured. He was only able to pitch two games before being sidelined for four months with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
Although he returned to pitch nine games before the playoffs and six in the postseason, his health hasn’t fully improved in the offseason.
“Time is ticking,”Roberts admitted in a statement to Katie Woo of The Athletic, “but like I told him the other day, Opening Day is not necessarily a hard and fast target for us.”
However, the manager didn’t have any further news regarding the two-time Cy Young Award winner’s health. “No real update on Blake Snell, other than he’s throwing off flat ground.”
Blake Snell’s lackluster season
Due to injury, the Dodgers’ star pitcher’s numbers were far from his usual standard:
- 11 games started
- 5 wins, 4 losses
- 2.35 ERA
- 61.1 innings pitched
- 51 hits
- 3 home runs
- 21 runs
- 16 earned runs
- 26 walks
- 72 strikeouts
Although Roberts isn’t rushing Snell’s return, there’s no doubt the team will need its full complement of personnel as soon as possible if it wants a chance at the elusive three-peat.
Read the full article here
