Dodgers’ Blake Snell Takes Next Step After Surgery

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Segun Ajayi | Last updated Jun 6, 2026 9:46 AM ET

Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell has taken the next step in his recovery after surgery. The 33-year-old returned to throwing a baseball for the first time since his procedure. MLB reporter Sonja Chen noted that Roberts confirmed Snell has started a throwing program and called it a positive sign, while also stressing that he still faces a long buildup before any return to game action.

Snell played catch on Friday before the Dodgers’ series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first on-field throwing session just over two weeks after he underwent the NanoNeedle procedure on his elbow to remove loose bodies.

Snell had just returned from shoulder discomfort, which held him out for the start of the season. He returned in May to make his first start of the season against the Atlanta Braves, but pitched just four innings before he was found to have loose bodies in his elbow for the second time in his career, the last of which came in 2019 when he was with Tampa Bay.

Injury updates, per Dave Roberts:
-Max Muncy is sore after yesterday's collision, but he otherwise feels fine. Expectation is he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow.
-Blake Snell started a throwing program today. A good sign, but he still has a long buildup ahead.
— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) June 5, 2026

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Snell felt excited to take that step, even though the club still expects a long recovery process. The American underwent surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who used a smaller, less invasive device designed to remove loose bodies from the elbow.

The procedure is similar to one used by other pitchers in recent months, including Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who also went through the same type of operation and has already begun working toward a rehab assignment.

Snell’s recovery comes after a disrupted start to his Dodgers season. He first missed time due to shoulder discomfort, then returned in May and made his season debut against the Atlanta Braves, where he pitched four innings.

Shortly after that outing, medical evaluation revealed loose bodies in his elbow, which required surgery for the second time in his career after a similar issue in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (left).© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The timeline for recovery from this type of procedure usually stretches over several months, but the newer approach used in Snell’s case has shortened the expected recovery window compared to traditional surgery. That has led to optimism that the former Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants pitcher could return to action earlier.

Nevertheless, the Dodgers continue to take a careful approach with his progression. His current phase focuses on light throwing and gradual workload increases before he moves into more advanced pitching work.

The Dodgers have not set a return date, and Roberts emphasized that the team will monitor his response to each stage before making any decisions about next steps.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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