Blake Snell to rejoin SF Giants rotation this week

May 20, 2024, 9:07 AM | Updated: 9:10 am

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Blake Snell #7 of the San Francisco Giants prepares for the g...

(Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

After nearly one month on the injured list, Blake Snell is nearing a return to the San Francisco Giants starting rotation.

Before Sunday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies, Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters that Snell will likely return on Wednesday afternoon when San Francisco faces the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

“We’re discussing that,” Melvin told media members of Snell’s potential return. “Depending on how he feels, there’s a good chance that that’s going to be the day.”

Snell, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 24th due to a left adductor strain, dominated the Oklahoma City Baseball Club during a rehab appearance with the Sacramento River Cats on Friday night at Sutter Health Park.

The veteran left-hander tossed five no-hit innings while striking out ten batters and walking one over five innings of work (60 pitches, 41 strikes).

Over two rehab appearances–one with the AAA River Cats and one with the Single-A San Jose Giants–Snell struck out 17 batters and didn’t allow a run over nine innings.

Blake Snell is DEALING in Sacramento🔥

10 K
1 BB
0 R
0 H
5 IP

60 pitches (41 strikes)#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/nu9svALm3b

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) May 18, 2024

More on SF Giants pitcher Blake Snell

Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, had yet to showcase his All-Star form before going down with an injury.

During his first three starts in a Giants uniform, Snell posted an 0-3 record and 11.57 ERA over 11.2 innings, striking out 12 batters and walking five.

It’s still early in the season, meaning that the southpaw has plenty of time to get back on the mound and help a San Francisco rotation currently ranked 22nd in ERA (48) and 19 in strikeouts (386).

San Francisco’s roster has been decimated by injuries, with outfielders Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) and Michael Conforto (hamstring), Snell (adductor), designated hitter Jorge Soler (shoulder), catchers Tom Murphy (knee) and Patrick Bailey (concussion), and shortstop Nick Ahmed (wrist) on the injured list.

With two rehab appearances under his belt, the 31-year-old is now set to join the Giants rotation when San Francisco begins a six-game east-coast road trip on Tuesday that features matchups against the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.

Snell will be slotted in the rotation behind Logan Webb, the 2023 NL Cy Young Award runner-up, as both pitchers will look to continue the Giants’ recent success.