Blake Snell’s 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been derailed by persistent left shoulder inflammation, leaving fans and the team anxiously awaiting his return. Since being placed on the injured list on April 6, Snell has made gradual progress but remains sidelined as the Dodgers carefully manage his recovery to avoid setbacks.
Snell, who signed a blockbuster five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason, appeared in only two regular-season games before the injury struck. In those outings, he posted a solid 2.00 ERA with four strikeouts over nine innings, showing glimpses of the dominant form that earned him a Cy Young Award earlier in his career. However, shoulder inflammation forced him to halt pitching and transition to a cautious rehab process.
As of mid-June, Snell had begun throwing bullpen sessions at roughly 70 percent intensity. He shared optimism after one such session on June 10, saying,
“I’m throwing 120 feet now. I’m coming out with no pain. I feel good. I’m excited. I threw a couple of changeups … pretty excited. I can’t wait [to be back].”
Despite this encouraging progress, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tempered expectations, noting on June 24 that Snell was still “not close” to facing live hitters. Roberts explained,
“We got to do another bullpen and we’ll see where we go. But I would just say overall, my idea of close is probably not, which could be different from yours.”
A key comparison has been made to Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby, who suffered a similar shoulder inflammation injury in March and was sidelined for approximately 76 days before returning in late May. Snell has already missed 57 days since being placed on the IL, and the Dodgers are expected to adopt an even more conservative approach given the high stakes of his contract and the team’s playoff ambitions.
The Dodgers currently hold the best record in the National League West and are in a comfortable position to prioritize Snell’s health over rushing him back. With ace Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound and other rotation pieces stepping up, the team can afford to be patient.
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, both Snell and fellow injured starter Tyler Glasnow are on track for potential returns in July, though nothing is guaranteed:
“Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have made significant progress. They’ve been on the mound and feeling good. It appears they’re on track for a return.”
Still, Snell must complete live batting practice and likely several rehab starts before rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation. The earliest realistic return window is projected for early to mid-July, coinciding with a stretch of games against the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals.
In summary, Blake Snell’s injury update reflects cautious optimism but no immediate return. His left shoulder inflammation has required a slow and measured rehab, with the Dodgers prioritizing long-term health over a quick comeback. While the team eagerly anticipates his impact on their rotation, fans should expect Snell to miss at least the first half of July, with a full return contingent on how his shoulder responds to increased workload. The Dodgers’ patient approach aims to ensure that when Snell does return, he can contribute at the high level expected from a two-time Cy Young winner and help propel Los Angeles deep into the postseason.
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