Blake Snell ‘Pain-Free’ and Ready to Return Following Surgery

Los Ángeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow in May, and is already back on the mound throwing for the Dodgers.

Snell took the mound before Wednesday’s win over the Colorado Rockies, facing hitters and throwing off the mound—yet another step in his speedy recovery.

The left-hander has only made one start this season, allowing four earned runs in just three innings of work, but isn’t letting his sole result hold him back.

“I’m so good right now,” Snell said. “I can’t wait to pitch.”

Snell’s tenure as a Dodgers has been littered with injuries, first missing the majority of last season with a shoulder issue, and struggling with the same thing to start 2026 before requiring surgery on his elbow. Now, though, Snell says he feels better than ever.

“Probably the best I’ve felt in two years,” he said.

“I’m pain-free. I always had some form of pain, but you just battle through it. I thought it was just going to be there forever. I was, ‘Alright, it’s something I’m just going to have to deal with. I’ll battle through it.’ Then I had the surgery and as soon as I started throwing again I was, ‘Hey, my shoulder feels good.” I was in great spirits, just real happy. … I have no more pain in my arm. I throw freely. My body feels great. I can locate a pitch where I want too now. That’s pretty cool. All the time now, not just once in awhile.”

How Has Blake Snell Performed as a Dodger?

While the southpaw hasn’t featured as much as he would like over the past season and a half with LA, there’s no doubt he’s one of the best pitchers in the game when he’s healthy. The two-time Cy Young winner made 11 starts in last year’s regular season, posting a 2.35 ERA with the Dodgers.

He has 72 strikeouts in 61.1 innings pitched, and had a similarly stellar record in the postseason.

Through six appearances in October, Snell had a 3.18 ERA through 34 innings pitched, striking out 41 batters.

The Dodgers will be excited to get Snell back, and will hope he can remain healthy throughout the remainder of the season as they look to win a third consecutive World Series title. Their next step in accomplishing that goal comes Friday, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m. PT.

Are you excited to see Blake Snell back on the mound?