Dodgers Pitcher Blake Snell to Undergo Elbow Surgery Amidst Roster Adjustments

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Saturday that starting pitcher Blake Snell will undergo surgery next week to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. The announcement follows Snell’s removal from his scheduled start against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, an event that prompted his immediate placement on the 15-day injured list.

Snell is the second Dodgers pitcher to undergo this specific orthopaedic procedure this season. Closer Edwin Díaz underwent surgery on his right elbow on April 22 and is expected to remain sidelined until the second half of the season. While the club anticipates a quicker recovery timeline for Snell compared to Díaz, a specific return date has not yet been determined.

The decision to scratch Snell from the Freeway Series opener at Angel Stadium marks a significant disruption for the club’s rotation. Snell had returned from the injured list earlier than expected to make his season debut on May 9 against the Atlanta Braves. During that three-inning appearance, he allowed six hits and four earned runs.

This surgery represents a setback for Snell’s tenure with Los Angeles, who signed a five-year, $182 million contract in November 2024. The upcoming procedure will be his 12th regular season start and 18th overall appearance since joining the team. It follows a previous season in which he made 11 regular season starts, five playoff starts, and one playoff relief appearance.

With the surgery scheduled for next week, the Dodgers are expected to transfer Snell to the 60-day injured list in the near future. The team’s confidence in a faster recovery for Snell than for Díaz suggests a strategic effort to mitigate the impact on the pitching staff’s depth for the remainder of the campaign.