Blake Snell Continues Dominant Stretch Following IL Return

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell made his second start since returning from an elbow procedure Monday, and produced another strong showing on the mound.

Snell marked his return against the Kansas City Royals last Tuesday, hurling six innings of one-run baseball while striking out 10 batters in a Dodgers win. On Monday, Snell allowed just one run through six innings yet again, this time striking out five batters.

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His outing Monday wasn’t quite as clean, though, as a shaky third inning gave the Rockies the opportunity to get back into the game. Snell walked the bases loaded without recording an out in that frame, and a groundout plated a run for the Rockies.

Aug 17, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Hunter Feduccia (46) and starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

With runners on second and third, though, Snell switched on and retired the final two batters to limit the damage.

“He did a really nice job,” Roberts said of Snell’s outing. “Outside of that third inning, he was outstanding. …[He] reset, started to use his changeup a little bit more, and a lot of bad swings. For him to be able to get through six here was fantastic. Put out bullpen in a good spot for the next two games.”

Snell’s last two starts are a vast improvement over his sole start of the season prior, as he allowed four earned runs through just three innings in his maiden start of 2026.

What Was Blake Snell’s Injury?

Snell first landed on the injured list during spring training, noting fatigue in his throwing shoulder following the Dodgers’ lengthy 2025 season. He remained on the injured list until May, when he made his aforementioned first start of the season.

He immediately found himself on the injured list afterwards with loose bodies in his elbow. Snell underwent the same treatment as new teammate Tarik Skubal—the newly innovated “NanoNeedle” procedure—and made his return just a few months after his surgery.

Returning from elbow arthroscopy is difficult for pitchers, as can be seen with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz, so Snell’s strong performances are an encouraging sight for the Dodgers. The left-hander will look to carry the momentum from his strong return throughout the rest of the season as the Dodgers aim to claim the franchise’s first three-peat this year.

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