Dodgers Reveal Blake Snell Injury Update After Just 1 Start
The Los Angeles Dodgers were all set to use left-hander Blake Snell as the starting pitcher for Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim.
However, on Friday, the Dodgers scratched Snell, putting some big question marks into his status.
Shortly after, the Dodgers revealed that Snell is headed to the Injured List to have loose bodies removed from his elbow.
Snell made his season debut on May 9, going three innings and allowing four earned runs in a loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Now, after a lengthy offseason recovery process, Snell is back on the IL after one start.
The Dodgers recalled LHP Charlie Barnes and placed LHP Blake Snell on the injured list with left elbow loose bodies, backdated to May 12.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 15, 2026
Snell had the same injury in 2019, and manager Dave Roberts admitted there is no plan in place yet about whether or not Snell will have to undergo surgery.
Dave Roberts said Blake Snell reported feeling something "in the back of" his left elbow during catch play yesterday. No plan set in place as to whether it would or wouldn't need surgery. https://t.co/ZYJV55OLiA
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 15, 2026
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal also was sidelined recently for the same injury, and Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz pitched in just seven games before landing on the IL with the same issue.
The typical timeline for that type of surgery would be between 2 and 3 months, so if that's the case, Snell would be out until the All-Star break or right after it, if everything goes well.
Snell is in the second year of a five-year, $182 million deal. However, he made just 11 regular-season starts last season, although he had a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA when he was healthy.
Can the Dodgers Overcome Another Injury?
The Dodgers entered the year with a very deep starting rotation, but things have taken a bad turn early on.
Tyler Glasnow is on the IL after suffering a back injury, and he went 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA to begin this season.
Roki Sasaki is struggling once again, putting up a 1-3 record with a 5.88 ERA, and there have been rumors of him going to the bullpen again.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a 3-3 record with a 3.60 ERA, but he has given up three or more runs in each of his last four starts, in a bit of a worrisome trend.
To soften the blow, Shohei Ohtani is looking every bit like a Cy Young candidate with a 3-2 record and a whopping 0.82 ERA, but injuries to Glasnow and Snell surely have LA trying to figure things out in mid-May.
Related: Kyle Tucker Sends Message After First Walk-Off Hit With Dodgers
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 6:55 PM.