Snell, Hernández make strides toward return in latest rehab assignments in OKC
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Blake Snell and Kiké Hernández shared a baseball field again on Friday. Making rehab appearances for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets in West Sacramento, the two Dodgers made steps toward returning to the Majors.
Snell (loose bodies in left elbow) made his second rehab start. The lefty allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings and threw 32 of 49 pitches for strikes. He struck out three batters, didn’t issue a walk and allowed two hits.
This outing was a big step in the right direction for Snell, who is expected to return sometime in August. Snell has only made one appearance in the Majors this season on May 9, with that appearance sandwiched between left shoulder inflammation that delayed his season and his latest elbow issue.
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Snell has only made a dozen regular-season outings with the Dodgers but he, of course, played a huge role in last year’s World Series run (3.18 ERA and 41 strikeouts in six outings). Los Angeles is banking on Snell returning to full form by the time October rolls around.
On Friday, Hernández had a multi-hit game, including a double. Hernández (left oblique strain) began his rehab assignment on July 17 and is expected to play with the Comets at least through the weekend. He could return during the Dodgers homestand that begins next Tuesday.
Similar to Snell’s trajectory, Hernández missed the beginning of the season due to offseason elbow surgery and returned on May 25. He suffered his oblique strain in his second game, however, and hasn’t played in the Majors since.