​Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell has already rejoined the mound after undergoing elbow surgery in May to remove loose bodies, and he’s back throwing for his team. He took the mound again before Wednesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, facing hitters and tossing from the bullpen as part of his continued ramp-up. This marks another milestone in his rapid recovery, and the chance to test his arm in real game-like conditions.
Snell has appeared in just one game this season, giving up four earned runs over three innings, but he isn’t letting that lone result define his return. “I’m so good right now,” Snell said. “I can’t wait to pitch.” His time with the Dodgers has been punctuated by injuries, starting with missing most of the previous season due to a shoulder issue and then beginning 2026 with similar trouble before the elbow surgery. Now, however, the two-time Cy Young Award winner insists he feels better than ever.
“Probably the best I’ve felt in two years,” he stated. “I’m pain-free. I always had some form of pain, but you just battle through it. I thought it was just going to be there forever. I was, ‘Alright, it’s something I’m just going to have to deal with. I’ll battle through it.’ Then I had the surgery and as soon as I started throwing again I was, ‘Hey, my shoulder feels good.’ I was in great spirits, just real happy. … I have no more pain in my arm. I throw freely. My body feels great. I can locate a pitch where I want too now. That’s pretty cool. All the time now, not just once in awhile.”
The date was May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles, when Snell was photographed on the mound for the Dodgers in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The scene highlighted the progress he’s made as he works back from surgery and strives to reestablish himself as one of the premier pitchers in the league.
Even with limited innings over the past season and a half, Snell remains among the elite when healthy. In last year’s regular season, he made 11 starts for the Dodgers and posted a 2.35 ERA. He accumulated 72 strikeouts in 61.1 innings, and his postseason performance mirrored that high level of success. In October, across six appearances and 34 innings, he posted a 3.18 ERA and fanned 41 hitters, underscoring his capacity to dominate when push comes to shove.
The Dodgers are eager to have Snell back in their rotation, hoping he can stay healthy for the stretch run as they pursue a third consecutive World Series title. The team’s next test comes Friday when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m. PT, a meeting that could see Snell reassert himself as a cornerstone of the rotation.
Is the return of Blake Snell exciting for you, especially as he ramps back up to full strength? With his return, the Dodgers are banking on more depth and consistency from a pitcher whose ceiling remains exceptionally high when he’s on the mound.