Blake Snell throws 32 pitches in 1+ inning in first rehab start

TL;DR

Blake Snell made his first minor league rehab start for the Ontario Tower Buzzers, throwing 32 pitches in 1+ inning against the San Jose Giants. He allowed two runs on three hits and faced eight batters without recording a strikeout.

Key points

Blake Snell pitched for the Class-A Ontario Tower Buzzers
He threw 32 pitches in 1+ inning
Snell allowed two runs on three hits
He faced eight batters without a strikeout
Snell is expected to need at least four rehab starts

Blake SnellLos Angeles DodgersOntario Tower BuzzersSan Jose Giants

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up in the outfield during batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell pitched into the second inning in his first minor league rehab start for the Class-A Ontario Tower Buzzers on Wednesday night on the road against the San Jose Giants. Snell was pulled with nobody out in the second inning after throwing 32 pitches. He threw 16 pitches in each frame, and didn’t retire any of his four batters faced in the second, though two of those batters reached on errors by Ontario infielders. The Dodgers left-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits in his one-plus inning, with one walk and no strikeouts among his eight batters faced. There is no radar gun info available from this game on Baseball Savant, but the site did show that Snell induced one swinging strike among his 32 pitches. Snell had the approach that many veteran pitchers sometimes have during a minor league rehab appearance, in that he completely ignored the runners on base while pitching, and in doing so allowed three stolen bases in his brief time on the mound on Wednesday. He began the season on the injured list with shoulder fatigue, after not throwing much during the offseason following the extended postseason run. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters in on Tuesday , and would be stretched out to five innings before rejoining Los Angeles. Wednesday’s 32-pitch, three-out effort all but ensures Snell will need at least four rehab starts before returning. That puts the left-hander right in line for returning in mid to late May.

Q&A

What were Blake Snell's stats in his first rehab start?

Blake Snell allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, with one walk and no strikeouts in his first rehab start.

How many rehab starts does Blake Snell need before returning to the Dodgers?

Blake Snell is expected to need at least four minor league rehab starts before rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When is Blake Snell expected to return to the Dodgers?

Blake Snell is projected to return to the Dodgers in mid to late May following his rehab starts.