CINCINNATI -- The champagne was on ice, but one inning into the Dodgers' game on Wednesday night, so was left-hander Blake Snell.
Snell exited his start against the Reds with left groin tightness after throwing just one inning in the Dodgers' 6-2 loss at Great American Ball Park. L.A. entered Wednesday needing either a win or a San Diego loss to clinch its 13th NL West title in the past 14 years.
After falling short on their end, the Dodgers had two things to monitor for the remainder of the evening: the Padres' outcome, and more importantly, Snell's status.
Snell was hopeful that he would be able to make another start before the end of the regular season, but he and the Dodgers will see how he comes out of the next few days before making any decisions. Having him healthy to help anchor the postseason rotation is the priority.
"I like where his head is at, but he just can't afford any more setbacks," manager Dave Roberts said. "So, whether it's his next start or being pushed back, or whatever it is, we've got to make sure that he comes out ready to go in the postseason."
Snell has a history of similar issues, twice going on the injured list with a left groin strain and a left adductor strain in 2024 while with the Giants. Before that, he also missed time with adductor injuries in '21 and '22.
Before taking the mound in Cincinnati, Snell felt something grab while throwing his second-to-last pitch in the bullpen. He felt that he had a chance to make a full start, but he still did not feel good throughout his warmup and the first inning.
Snell threw 19 pitches while facing the minimum, giving up a two-out single to Sal Stewart before the rookie was erased on a pickoff-caught stealing. After the opening frame, Snell reported his discomfort to Roberts and the training staff.
"I’ve strained it four different times. So I’m aware if I kept pitching, I definitely would’ve strained it," Snell said. "For me to stop, that’s a first. Maybe I’m growing up. I don’t know. But that was definitely the right move. And the next couple of days, we’ll see where we’re at and go from there."
Snell has had recurring groin issues because of the explosive way he uses his legs in his delivery. While compensating for the tightness on Wednesday, he threw eight four-seamers with an average velocity of 94.5 mph, down 1.5 mph from his season average.
Since 2024, Snell has worked to figure out the right routine to prevent his groin issue from flaring up. Doing Copenhagen planks has helped him add and maintain adductor strength.
"I haven't felt it at all until that pitch in the bullpen, and I was just kind of thrown off by it," Snell said. "I’ve done what I’ve needed to do to be strong and healthy. Definitely a shock to me.”
This season, Snell has been on the injured list twice. He was sidelined by left shoulder fatigue to open the year and landed back on the IL after one start with loose bodies in his left elbow, which were surgically removed.
Snell had been dominant since returning from the IL on Aug. 11, going 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA in six starts entering Wednesday. He allowed no more than one run in each of those starts, and the Dodgers won all but one of them. His absence was felt when the bullpen had to cover the final seven innings, with Seth Halvorsen, Bobby Miller and Jack Dreyer allowing two runs apiece.
The Dodgers wound up using six relievers the day before they had been planning to run a bullpen game in Thursday's finale in Cincinnati. Justin Wrobleski will start, and Landon Knack will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for bulk relief. Miller will be optioned.
Because the Dodgers (92-60) are in a good position on their road to the postseason -- on the cusp of winning the division and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Braves (89-64) for the No. 2 seed in the NL -- they can afford to get through their final 10 regular-season games without Snell.
But it's far from a comfortable place to be for a Dodgers team that was already down to four fully built-up starting pitchers on the active roster.
"I guess it's under the 'I'm glad it's not worse,'" Roberts said, "and we caught it early."