Blake Snell DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) threw out to 60 feet on Wednesday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Snell's visit with a doctor recently went well after he had a bit more discomfort in his left shoulder over the weekend, so he was cleared to throw this week. The 32-year-old two-time Cy Young winner only made two starts with the Dodgers before landing on the injured list due to a left-shoulder injury, and he's had several setbacks along the way. L.A. isn't going to rush their free-agent acquisition back, and we probably won't have a clearer timetable for his potential return to the starting rotation until he begins throwing off a mound again. Even in a best-case scenario, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Snell to return until sometime in June. He allowed only two earned runs in his first two starts, but with eight walks and four K's in nine innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) will start playing catch on Friday. Snell is on the team's current road trip in Miami and will also be in Arizona when they face the division-rival Diamondbacks this weekend. The 32-year-old southpaw made it only two starts in his Dodgers tenure before dealing with left-shoulder issues and being placed on the 15-day injured list. He had a setback with his balky shoulder in late April and had his throwing program shut down, but Snell is going to resume throwing this weekend after recently receiving a cortisone injection in his arm. In a best-case scenario, Snell might be able to return to L.A.'s starting rotation in late May after going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He allowed two unearned runs in his first two starts, but he walked nine and struck out four in nine innings. Snell needs to remain stashed in all fantasy leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) is expected to resume playing catch next week in Miami on the team's road trip. Snell landed on the 15-day injured list way back on April 6 and is still working his way back from a left-shoulder injury after encountering a setback recently. Tests haven't revealed any structural damage in his arm, thankfully, and the 32-year-old veteran southpaw will now resume throwing next week after having a cortisone injection on Monday. If things go well next week, Snell could be cleared to throw off a mound soon after. But given the long layoff, he should be expected to need a minor-league rehab assignment eventually, which could push his return into June. Snell allowed two unearned runs while walking eight and striking out four in his first two starts with L.A. before the injury. Keep him stashed in all fantasy leagues.