Snell missed four months last season due to left shoulder inflammation, forcing the Dodgers to carefully manage his workload. The team’s depth gives them flexibility, but fans are eager to see when the veteran will return to the mound.

Former MLB executive David Samson offered insight into the Dodgers’ approach, praising the organization for setting a blueprint for keeping pitchers healthy late into the season. “The Dodgers announcing that Blake Snell [is] not ready for the start of the season is not because Blake Snell cannot be ready for the start of the season,” Samson said on Nothing Personal with David Samson.

He also added, “The reason Blake Snell is not ready for the start of the season is because they are very aware that to keep him healthy late, you got to start him late.”

How the Dodgers are handling Snell’s recovery

Samson emphasized that Snell’s arm fatigue is understandable given his heavy workload, including postseason appearances and relief innings. “We always had the feeling that we were going to have injuries and that pitchers starting 30 games plus is something in the past, and now we know,” he added. The Dodgers’ cautious approach highlights a growing trend of prioritizing long-term health over early-season availability.

One of the central figures in that equation is Blake Snell, whose postseason usage helped stabilize the rotation during another title run. However, the toll of that workload is shaping how the organization approaches his preparation, even if it introduces uncertainty early in the season.

That cautious mindset was reinforced this week when Snell addressed his spring training outlook, acknowledging that opening the season at full strength may require restraint rather than urgency.

Is Blake Snell at risk of missing Opening Day?

After logging 34 postseason innings and throwing more than 500 pitches in October, Snell confirmed he is deliberately easing into spring training. “You want to ramp up, but I gotta take my time and get healthy,” Snell said, via Jack Harris of the California Post. “On the front end of spring, I’ll have to be patient and let my body get to 100%.”

The left-hander added that the organization has emphasized long-term health over short-term availability, noting, “Don’t rush. Be patient. Make sure you’re 100%. They really are focused on your health and well-being.”

Dodgers prioritizing October over April?

Snell’s cautious buildup follows an injury-plagued regular season in which shoulder inflammation sidelined him for four months. Despite expectations tied to his five-year, $182 million contract, Los Angeles has shown a willingness to sacrifice early-season innings if it improves championship odds.

Rotation management becomes early storyline

Snell is not the only arm under watch. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, last postseason’s World Series MVP, also carried a heavy October workload, giving the Dodgers multiple frontline starters whose health will be monitored closely in April.

As spring training unfolds, Los Angeles will balance caution with competitiveness, knowing that the ultimate goal is not Opening Day—but another deep run in October.

By the time the night was over, Los Angeles found itself one loss away from elimination — and Snell, despite lasting 6.2 innings, was left to explain one of his most frustrating outings of the postseason.

The left-hander surrendered five runs on six hits, walked four, and struck out seven. Though his line told a rough story, Snell believed the result didn’t fully reflect the quality of his stuff.

Did Blake Snell feel unlucky in Game 5?

After the loss, Snell admitted that luck — or a lack thereof — played a role in how things unraveled early. “I’m not one to make excuses or anything close to that. But yeah, it’s just pretty unlucky. Only so much you can do… and that’s baseball,” he told SportsNet LA.

Following Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s first-inning home run, Snell avoided his fastball for 22 straight pitches. He didn’t expand much on the reasoning but hinted at trusting his feel rather than overthinking his approach.

Dodgers now on the brink of elimination

Despite the rough start, Snell emphasized that he still felt physically sharp and mentally prepared for the challenge. “I felt good, I feel strong. I’ve been training to be ready for this and be strong. I felt good, I trust me. Yeah, it’s frustrating,” he added.

The Dodgers now turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Game 6, hoping the ace can extend their season. Yamamoto has been lights-out this postseason, and Los Angeles will need every bit of that dominance to keep its World Series defense alive Friday night in Toronto.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically on Friday night. The Dodgers’ pitching depth — one of their biggest strengths throughout the playoffs — faltered when the Blue Jays erupted for a nine-run sixth inning, the highest-scoring frame in a World Series game since 1968.

After the defeat, Snell addressed reporters, offering an honest reflection on what went wrong. “I just wasn’t locating the ball, it’s pretty simple. Command with the fastball wasn’t great… Changeup, I couldn’t locate that either… It’s just frustrating but I learned a lot. Still confident. I know what I can do, I know who I am,” he told SportsNet LA.

Dodgers’ ace falters in historic inning

Snell allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings, a sharp contrast to his dominant postseason run. The Blue Jays’ offense, which had been quiet through the early innings, found its rhythm in the middle frames. Daulton Varsho ignited the comeback with a two-run home run off a 96 mph fastball in the fourth, tying the game 2-2.

“I made a mistake to Varsho [with] a fastball down the middle. Just a tough game,” Snell admitted afterward. From there, Toronto’s bats didn’t look back. The sixth inning proved disastrous for Los Angeles as the Blue Jays sent 12 batters to the plate, breaking the game wide open.

Barger’s grand slam seals Game 1 for Toronto

The defining moment came when Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, capping the nine-run explosion. Snell was already out of the game after hitting Varsho with a high fastball to load the bases. Manager Dave Roberts made the call to pull his starter, replacing him with Emmet Sheehan. By the end of the inning, Toronto led 11-2 and never looked back, taking Game 1 with an 11-4 victory.

Despite the setback, Snell maintained confidence in the Dodgers’ resilience. “We’re confident. We know how good we are. But it was a tough game. They came out swinging and had a better game,” he said. “[But] you’ve gotta win four.”

In the wake of the matchup, Snell notched a remarkable milestone with his stellar performances in his most recent outings with the Dodgers. According to OptaStats, Snell equaled an achievement that dates back to 1905 by legendary MLB pitcher Cy Young, renowned as one of the greatest in history.

“In each of his last two starts, the Dodgers’ Blake Snell has struck out 11+ batters, allowed two or fewer hits, issued two or fewer walks, surrendered no runs, and permitted no extra-base hits. The only other MLB pitcher in the modern era to achieve this in consecutive starts within a season is Cy Young (1905),” OptaStats highlighted on their X account.

Snell’s record highlights him as a critical asset for the Dodgers as they near securing the third place in the National League standings. Alongside Shohei Ohtani, Snell could be pivotal in the Dodgers’ quest to defend their title this year.

Snell’s defining interaction with Dave Roberts

In one of his finest moments with the Dodgers, Snell showcased his determination during the last out of the seventh inning. Head Coach Dave Roberts attempted to replace him with Alex Vesia, but Snell asserted his capability to handle the situation, and he succeeded.

This incident resonated with the fan base, epitomizing a night to remember for Snell. His commanding performance was instrumental in the Dodgers’ victory over the Phillies, solidifying the lead over the closely trailing Padres in the standings.

Snell reflects on his performance against the Phillies

Following the game, the media eagerly sought Snell’s thoughts on his standout performance against Philadelphia. Snell addressed how he is contributing to the team’s success as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.

“I faced some really outstanding hitters tonight; they’re a strong team, even reflecting on last season. The main focus for me was to come in strong, and my pace was impressive today, though I know I can improve. I’m just striving to become even more comfortable,” Snell shared with the media.

While Snell’s performance with the Giants didn’t meet the high expectations many had for him, his stats demonstrated flashes of brilliance that underscore his potential. At 31 years old, Snell still has the energy and skill to make a significant impact. As the Dodgers aim to defend their World Series title in the 2025 MLB season, Snell will face the challenge of integrating into a stacked roster and contributing to the team’s championship ambitions.

Speaking on The Chris Rose Rotation, Giants ace Logan Webb offered his perspective on Snell’s move to the Dodgers. “I didn’t know he was going to the Dodgers. He didn’t tell me they were talking, but I’d chat with him every now and then—this was, I think, before the playoffs,” Webb revealed.

Webb also opened up about his mixed emotions regarding the move to an archrival. “I talked to him after he signed with the Dodgers. I’m pretty happy for him—he works his ass off and is a great teammate. I’m super excited for him. That said, I’m not thrilled he ended up there, but how do you turn down a $52 million contract?”

Snell’s transition to the Dodgers is poised to add another layer of intrigue to the already intense rivalry between Los Angeles and San Francisco. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Snell to see if he can deliver for his new team.

Snell signs with the Dodgers: A game-changing move

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a major offseason splash by signing Blake Snell, a standout pitcher who perfectly complements their powerhouse lineup, now bolstered by Shohei Ohtani. At 32 years old, Snell brings proven performance to Los Angeles, and his numbers make him a natural fit for the team’s championship ambitions.

Reports indicate that Snell has agreed to a lucrative five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers. The deal includes a substantial $52 million signing bonus, which likely played a key role in Snell’s decision to join Los Angeles. For comparison, his previous contract with the San Francisco Giants was valued at $62 million over two seasons.

Snell will now anchor a formidable Dodgers rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. Adding even more intrigue, the Dodgers are rumored to be pursuing Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, potentially creating one of the most dynamic pitching rosters in recent memory.

Snell’s stats with the Giants

After a late signing in March, Blake Snell faced a challenging start to the 2024 season, largely due to a rushed preparation period. Lacking the benefit of a full Spring Training, he struggled out of the gate, posting a 9.51 ERA across his first six starts and enduring two stints on the injured list.

However, once he regained full strength and established a proper rhythm following his second IL stint, Snell showcased his dominance on the mound. Over his final 14 starts, he delivered an exceptional 1.23 ERA, recording 114 strikeouts against just 30 walks. Opposing hitters managed only a .123 batting average against him during this stretch, as he threw 80 1/3 masterful innings.

That’s why Kevin Cash put the ball in Blake Snell’s hands. The southpaw dominated the Dodgers’ offense in an elegant fashion in Game 2and looked like the perfect man to tie the series up and force Game 7.

As expected, Snell was dealing since the very start of the game. Fast-forward to the top of the sixth inning, and the Rays were holding on to a 1-0 lead behind Snell’s 9 Ks, and just one hit. Then, Kevin Cash happened.

After one hit, Cash yanked Snell out of the game after 5.1 IP and just 73 pitches. He didn’t want the Dodgers’ lineup to see him for the third time, even though he had struck out the top of the order twice and had shown no signs of fatigue whatsoever.

The rest, as you know by now, is history. Mookie Betts doubled,NickAnderson threw a wild pitch, allowed a hit, and all of a sudden the Dodgers led 2-1. Snell, as expected, was clearly upset about what happened, although he didn’t question Cash’s call to take him out.

Blake Snell Reacts To Kevin Cash’s Decision

“I am definitely disappointed and upset. I just want the ball. I felt good. I did everything I could to prove my case to stay out there, and then for us to lose, it sucks. I want to win, and I want to win the World Series, and for us to lose, it just sucks,” Snell said.

“I am not going to question him. He’s a helluva manager, so I am not going to question him. And I can only look forward to what I am going to accomplish this offseason. But we came up short, and the only thing I can focus on is what I can be better at next year,” he concluded.

It’s hard to judge Cash for doing exactly what took his team to the World Series. He always dealt with his pitchers that way when he was in the lead so there was no reason to think that he’d choose a different path this time.

Then again, baseball goes way beyond analytics. Snell had the Dodgers’ tied-up, and they struggled vs. lefties for most of the season. Had Snell stayed on the mound, chances are that we would be talking about Game 7 right now. Instead, they continue to be one of the few teams that have never won a World Series.