Snell dominates in 3 innings of 1-hit ball in second rehab start

LOS ANGELES -- Blake Snell’s path back to the Dodgers’ rotation gained significant momentum on Tuesday night.

Making his second rehab appearance since being sidelined with left shoulder fatigue, the two-time Cy Young Award winner dominated over three innings for the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers. Facing the Lake Elsinore Storm, Snell allowed one hit and no walks while striking out six batters.

The left-hander was efficient, striking out the side in the first inning on 13 pitches. He followed that by striking out three batters in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double. He retired the side in order in the third to finish his night with a 2.25 ERA across two rehab outings.

Following his first start on Wednesday, Snell noted that he intended to be patient through his first two appearances to gauge his physical response.

“The first two starts are, for me, I’m very patient,” Snell said. “I want to see how I feel, how I respond, what’s working, what’s not. After those first two starts, that’s when you get more aggressive and make it happen.”

A clean bill of health would be a major development for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, returning an ace-caliber veteran starter to a rotation that has had to lean on some younger arms in the first month.

Snell, who signed a five-year deal with the club in November 2024, indicated last week that his shoulder has bounced back well and that he is focused on hitting specific endurance benchmarks before rejoining the big league club.

“I think five [innings] and 75 [pitches] is what they want me to get to,” Snell said. “My goal is to dominate innings, try to use the least amount of pitches as possible, so that will push the end or I can go to the bullpen and throw.”

Snell is expected to rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation in late May.