Blake Snell DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) played catch on Monday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list eight days ago on April 6 with left-shoulder inflammation. Snell thought he could pitch through his shoulder issue but eventually landed on the IL and was shut down from throwing for a short period of time. The 32-year-old will now need to work up to bullpen sessions and game action in a minor-league setting before the Dodgers return him to their starting rotation, likely in early May, barring any setbacks. Snell felt good while throwing on Monday and is expected to play catch again on Tuesday. Although the two-time Cy Young winner had eight walks and only four strikeouts in nine innings over his first two starts of the year before getting injured, he had allowed only two earned runs. Keep Snell stashed in all fantasy formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing until Monday, according to manager Dave Roberts. It's just rest, though, and there is no planned medical intervention. An MRI exam on Snell's left shoulder recently only showed inflammation, which led the 32-year-old veteran southpaw to say that he was hoping for a minimal stay on the injured list. However, there's no current timetable for his return to L.A.'s starting rotation, and we won't have a better idea on when he might return until he resumes throwing. In the meantime, the Dodgers will roll with a six-man starting rotation that will now include left-hander Justin Wrobleski and right-hander Landon Knack. Of the two, Knack is the more attractive deep-league/DFS streamer when he makes his first start against the Nationals on Wednesday. Snell should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) said he's been pitching through left-shoulder soreness for three weeks, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. He thought he could get through it but was unable to finish his bullpen session on Sunday. Thankfully, an MRI exam on Sunday showed only inflammation and no structural damage in his left shoulder. Snell is hopeful he will only need a couple of weeks, but that will depend on when he resumes throwing after being placed on the injured list. With Snell on the shelf, both Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski are expected to be recalled from the minors this week while the Dodgers roll with a six-man starting rotation moving forward. Fantasy managers will need to stash Snell in an IL spot after he opened his first year in L.A. by giving up only two unearned runs with eight walks and four strikeouts in nine innings in his first two starts for the Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed starting pitcher Blake Snell (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Snell has had a difficult start to his Dodger tenure, holding an underwhelming 8:4 BB:K across his first nine innings of work. In his last start against the Atlanta Braves, Snell allowed five runs (none earned) and served up four walks while striking out just two batters. The Dodgers did not provide a definitive timeline for his recovery. However, with Snell sidelined, fantasy managers should expect the Dodgers to either stretch out their bullpen arms or potentially promote another arm from the minor leagues. Currently, the Dodgers only have four healthy starters in their rotation, with Shohei Ohtani (elbow) still increasing his workload and Tony Gonsolin (back) on the 15-day IL. However, Gonsolin has recently begun a rehab assignment, which could open the door for him to return to the majors later next week.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell is getting the nod to start their home opener on Thursday, March 27, as the Dodgers face off against Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers. The matchup is poised to be good, as two outstanding southpaws and Cy Young-winning pitchers will face off. Last season, Snell went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 104 innings pitched with the Giants. It was a solid campaign for Snell, who owned an incredible 12.55 K/9. He will look to stay healthy this year, as he dealt with a handful of injuries last year, preventing him from getting his full workload. Snell's metrics are off the charts, with most ranking in the 80th percentile or higher, but his 10.5% walk rate always leaves room for improvement. Fantasy managers can confidently start Snell. He is one of the most electric pitchers in the game and is backed by a potent offense.