Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that star pitcher Blake Snell, who was put on the 15-day injured list with loose bodies in his elbow, will indeed go through surgery.
Snell was pulled from his start against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, only for it to be revealed that he has loose bodies in his elbow, and he will miss an unknown amount of time.
Roberts, who spoke with the media before Friday’s game about Snell’s injury, did not know if the pitcher would be going through surgery.
However, after consultation, the team and Snell have decided to proceed with a procedure whose exact nature has not yet been revealed.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) is relieved in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Snell’s surgery will take place on Tuesday, per Roberts, but the team expects him back before the end of the season.
“He’s going to get surgery on Tuesday, as I understand it, it’s going to be to take out those loose bodies, and it’s supposed to be a lot quicker recovery, so we’re encouraged about that, and [we] expect him certainly back this season,” Roberts said before Saturday’s game.
“I don’t know a timetable, but I think just kind of with the MRI, the scans, and everything, we feel good about getting it back to play sooner than later.”
What surgery could Blake Snell go through?
In MLB, another ace-caliber player, the Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, underwent a modern procedure known as NanoNeedle.
Skubal is expected to return as soon as six weeks after the surgery, and Snell could possibly have a faster recovery if he undergoes a similar variation of the procedure.
The Dodgers would likely go easier on Snell than the Tigers will with Skubal, who is a free agent after this season and is likely to lose him.
Los Angeles is known for always erring on the side of caution to protect the player and their investment, making up for his absence with depth among veteran and promising arms.
While they can thrive in the meantime, the Dodgers need Snellzilla for the postseason.
