June 3: As expected, the Giants announced today that Snell has been placed on the 15-day IL with a left groin strain. Outfielder Michael Conforto was sent back to IL as a similar move.
June 2: Blake Snell'The nightmare of a season looks set to land him back on the injured list, as the Giants left fielder had to leave today's start against the Yankees due to a strained left hip. Snell threw 4 2/3 innings and the first two at-bats against Alex Verdugo before he left after the team coach's visit. Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area and other media after the game, Giants manager Bob Melvin indicated that Snell will likely be sent back to IL for 15 days, and the full timeline will not be known until Snell undergoes an MRI. tomorrow.
A similar injury led to Snell's IL reinstatement on April 23, as he ended up missing nearly a month with a strained left adductor. Today marked Snell's third start back in action, and he again had little success, finishing with three earned runs over his 4 2/3 frames.
The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner now has a 9.51 ERA over 23 2/3 innings since signing a two-year, $62MM free agent deal with San Francisco on March 19. Since Snell did not sign until just a week before it opened. Day, his preseason work consisted of extended Spring Training and simulated games, and the rust has been evident since his debut on April 8. It's a stretch to say that these twin groin/adductor injuries may also be to blame. Snell wasn't completely put together early in his season, although he looked good while recovering from his previous injury.
Assuming the MRI doesn't reveal anything too serious, it would appear that Snell has another month on the sidelines, as he and the Giants want to make sure the injury is fully addressed before Snell starts another round. throwing sessions and minor league resumes. Given the calendar, it seems likely that Snell will be out until after the All-Star break, if the Giants want to give him more time if he isn't ready by early July.
The overtime loss has broader implications for Snell's future in San Francisco, as his contract has an opt-out clause. The two-year contract was designed to allow Snell to quickly re-enter the market after another strong season, and this time get a long-term deal with more money that eluded him this past winter. However, even if he returns in July in his past form and plays like an ace all the way through, the first three months of absence may have done enough to solidify any doubts teams have about Snell's ability to stay healthy. Staying with the Giants and banking another $30MM in 2025 isn't exactly a bad outcome for Snell, but since he'll be 33 on Opening Day 2026, time is running out for Snell to really maximize his earning power.
Only five teams in the National League have winning records, so the 29-31 Giants still hold the third wild card slot despite all their struggles. Circulation has been an obvious concern, as Logan Webb, Jordan Hicksagain Kyle Harrison be the reliable beginnings of San Francisco – Snell, Keaton Winnagain Mason Black they got most of the other starts and none of them played well. Winn was also sidelined with a strained arm, although he was scheduled for a minor league rehab game on Tuesday.
With the Giants having off days on Thursday and June 13, they can keep Winn in his rehab program because the team won't need a fifth starter for nearly three weeks. Black could also be recalled to Triple-A, and the Giants still have six weeks to have him Robbie Ray or Alex Cobb as active candidates to return from IL for 60 days. Ray will pitch in an Arizona Complex League game this week as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, while Cobb has started throwing again after shoulder discomfort that led to a shutout in mid-May.
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