The San Francisco Giants landed Blake Snell a week before Opening Day. Now, Snell will return to the Giants rotation when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday. Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left adductor strain on April 23. In a corresponding move, Nick Avila was optioned to Double-A Richmond.
#SFGiants roster moves:
– LHP Blake Snell returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 15-day IL.
– RHP Nick Avila optioned to Double-A Richmond.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 22, 2024
Blake Snell to Start in Pittsburgh
It’s been a frustrating start for Snell’s tenure in the Bay area. After signing a two-year, $62 million deal, he didn’t pitch with the Giants until April 8. He gave up more runs (15) than innings pitched (11 2/3) across three starts. But if there was any doubt, Snell looks ready to go after two rehab starts. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner tossed two hitless starts with Triple-A Sacramento. In his second start, he struck out 10 hitters across five frames last Friday.
It comes after he threw four perfect frames, including an immaculate inning with seven strikeouts for Single-A San Jose. The most important here is that Snell feels healthy after landing on the 15-day IL.
“I was repeating pitches repeating delivery,” Snell said. “I definitely felt good. I was excited about it. When you can repeat the delivery, when you can make adjustments, it’s a good thing.”
This guy is pretty good.
Blake Snell (@SFGiants) tallies ? K’s over five no-hit innings in his rehab start for the @RiverCats. pic.twitter.com/S9qYdF2fch
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 18, 2024
MLB Insider, Giants Teammate Talks of Snell’s Return
The return to the minor leagues was encouraging for Snell. He tried to get himself ready for the season and be available, but his body wasn’t quite ready. Now that he’s back and ready to go, this is a chance for Snell to have a reset he desperately needed.
“He was not ready when the season began,” said Jon Morosi. “The Giants have hung around in the [NL] Wild Card race. Here we are in the late days of May and they’ve got the reigning Cy Young Award winner who looks like he’s pitching more like himself. This is a very big date on the calendar for the Giants, they got their man on the mound. It’s a nice rebirth and rebeginning for the Giants.”
This guy is pretty good.
Blake Snell (@SFGiants) tallies ? K’s over five no-hit innings in his rehab start for the @RiverCats. pic.twitter.com/S9qYdF2fch
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 18, 2024
“He came into the season really excited. It didn’t go as planned,” Giants pitcher Logan Webb said. “I think he’s more (ticked) off about it than anybody. You can see with him coming back, the way he’s throwing in the minor leagues, he’s ready to go. I’m excited for it. He’s excited for it.”
Main Photo: © Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
