Blake Snell faces hitters for first time, latest step in rehab
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up in the outfield during batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images LOS ANGELES — Blake Snell pitched a simulated inning on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, facing hitters for the first time this year, the latest step in his rehab from starting the season on the sideline with shoulder fatigue . Snell threw about 15 pitches on Saturday, facing Tommy Edman (the switch-hitter batted both right-handed and left-handed) and Alex Call on the field about four hours before the scheduled first pitch of the Dodgers’ game against the Texas Rangers.
Snellzilla soon. 👀 pic. twitter.
com/fbVTUzlvvM — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 11, 2026 After an offseason of mostly resting his arm , Snell was well behind during spring training, such that he didn’t even throw a bullpen session until March 12 . He’s been throwing off and on since, but Saturday was his first time facing hitters. “I’m very excited about how I feel, where I’m at.
Getting back to some normalcy again feels really good,” Snell said Saturday. “Throwing bullpens, not facing hitters, it’s tough to stay locked in. ” This is essentially the early part of spring training for Snell, who is expected to face hitters in a two-inning simulated outing at some point next week.
Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he wasn’t sure if Snell would need two or three more such outings before going on a minor league rehab assignment. “This one for me, personally, is just an exercise. I’m not really looking for command, to be quite honest,” Roberts said.