The Los Angeles Dodgers finally have some good news on the injury front. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell threw a bullpen session on Tuesday at Petco Park, his first since April, as he eyes a return from a left-shoulder inflammation that sidelined him for months.
Speaking on the Dodgers Talk podcast with David Vassegh last week, Snell appeared optimistic about a return during the road trip to the San Diego Padres. “I think sometime in San Diego is the plan,” he said.
“They’ll let me know, and I’ll be ready. I’m just excited. I’m throwing, and there’s no pain. I can actually be excited for something. It’s going to come and happen soon,” Snell further added. However, that did not materialize, although the Dodgers still managed to win the three-game series.
Dodgers Injury Update: Blake Snell Throws ‘Easy’ Bullpen, Set For Another on Friday
With several key pitchers out injured, the news of Snell’s progress comes at an important time as the Dodgers look to hold onto their top spot in the NL West.
Meanwhile, Blake Snell is throwing his first full bullpen session since April. pic.twitter.com/0UjUQCDgud
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 10, 2025
After beating the Padres on the road and winning the series on Wednesday, the Dodgers travel back home, where they will face the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series, followed by a four-game rematch against the Padres.
The grueling 10-game June stretch is pivotal, with the Dodgers currently holding a one-game lead over the Giants and having a two-game advantage over the Padres.
Snell threw approximately 15 pitches at about 70% intensity. Before his injury, the lefty had just two starts, allowing two earned runs, but struggled with control, issuing eight walks over nine innings.
Blake Snell Excited After First Bullpen Session
“It felt good. I was excited too, because I threw the first couple bullpens with the catcher up. Really good,” Snell said. The left-hander admitted his frustrations during the early part of his recovery but was thrilled to be throwing again, declaring that he will soon be a factor in the Dodgers’ rotation.
“Early on, I knew I couldn’t do anything. Then you have to hear, ‘When are you going to pitch?’ every day. It gets exhausting. I have no idea. It’s the fans, your family. My dad texts me every day, ‘Are you going to pitch? Are you going to pitch?'”
Blake Snell said after his bullpen session today that he was “really excited.”
Left shoulder feels good and he’s going to throw another bullpen on Friday.
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 11, 2025
“But I’m very excited. After this pen, I know the ramp-up is going to start, and I can start pitching. I know I’m going to be a factor on the team again, and I’m very excited about that,” Snell added.
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Meanwhile, Snell is expected to participate in another bullpen session this Friday, where he will reportedly throw 20 pitches. According to the lefty, the focus will be on his fastballs. “I have an idea of what I’m going to do, so it’s exciting. I think I can kind of push a little bit, but they’re also going to push back. Hoping to be back sooner than later, and get going. I think the next bullpen will be fastballs, and then hopefully I could throw a changeup or something,” Snell said.
Among the Dodgers’ injured pitchers, only Tyler Glasnow and Snell appear close to returning anytime soon. Roki Sasaki, meanwhile, was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 13, but there’s still no clear timeline for the Japanese rookie’s return.