Blake Snell, the Dodgers pitcher, is set for surgery next Tuesday to remove a loose body from his elbow. Manager Dave Roberts expressed some hope that Snell might return sooner than the usual two to three months for recovery.
While the specifics of the surgery are still unclear, sources indicated that he may utilize a newer technology called Nanoneedle Scope 2.0. This tool is smaller and less invasive than traditional arthroscopes, potentially leading to a quicker recovery.
Recently, Tariq Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, became the first major league pitcher to have this type of surgery. Renowned sports surgeon Dr. Neal El-Atrache, who will also perform Snell’s procedure, previously operated on Skubal. Skubal is already back to playing catch and might return to the mound in just six weeks, according to reports.
Roberts noted that Snell’s recovery timeline will be clearer only after the surgery, but he mentioned that the options available could mean faster healing for the 33-year-old pitcher.
This isn’t Snell’s first experience with such a surgery; he had a more traditional procedure for this same issue back in 2019, while with the Rays, and was out for two months. Edwin Diaz, the Dodgers closer, underwent a similar procedure last month and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Interestingly, the location of the loose body in Snell’s elbow makes him a suitable candidate for this newer procedure. Dr. El-Atrache, in discussing Skubal’s surgery, mentioned that the nanoneedle method has relatively few drawbacks but noted that if issues arise, a traditional arthroscope could still be employed.
Snell is eager to return and was previously sidelined for over a month due to an offseason shoulder strain that impacted his debut season with the Dodgers last year. He recently pitched three innings in a game against the Atlanta Braves, although it resulted in a loss.
As for the Dodgers, they’re facing a bit of a pitching shortage, missing both Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow is expected to come back soon, but he’s currently only throwing in the field. River Ryan, a younger prospect, could be called up from Triple-A, though he recently dealt with a hamstring issue and has had limited appearances this year.
While the Dodgers are managing a challenging rotation with only five healthy starters at the moment, the hope remains that Snell’s surgery will lead to a quicker-than-expected comeback, helping stabilize their pitching staff by summer.
Roberts shared that Snell was excited to have the surgery date set, expressing eagerness to return to form and reconnect with his teammates quickly.
