Dodgers learning the hard way what SF Giants already knew about Blake Snell

One of the more disappointing developments in the past offseason for the SF Giants was when Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are now learning the hard way what San Francisco already knew about Snell.

After just two starts in the 2025 season, Snell has already landed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.

Giants fans will be all too familiar with Snell’s regular trips to the injured list in the first half of last season. He spent time on the shelf with adductor and groin issues last year before going on to be absolutely dominant in the second half of the season, throwing a very impressive no-hitter.

Dodgers learning the hard way what SF Giants already knew about Blake Snell

Historically, Snell has been a slow starter in his career. He typically takes a while to find his groove in a season and does not have his best stuff until later in the year. Snell had an ERA of 9.51 in June last season but turned things around considerably and finished the season with an ERA of 3.12. 

There was some thinking that the Giants would try to bring Snell back in the offseason even after he opted out of his contract with San Francisco, but it seems like the Giants did not make a considerable push for him. 

Instead, Snell signed a 5-year $182 million contract with the Evil Empire. Even though he is now injured, he pitched well in his first two starts for the Dodgers only allowing two earned runs in 9 innings of work. We will have to see how the injury will impact his effectiveness going forward.

It would sure be a shame if the Dodgers got the first half version of Snell from 2024 for the next five seasons. Despite this, Los Angeles still has a wealth of starting pitching so the injury should not impact them too much. 

The Giants do not take on the Dodgers for the first time this season until June so there is a good chance Snell will be healthy and ready to go against his former team by then. 

As of right now, the Giants are a game behind the Dodgers in the National League West early in the season. We will have to see if the Giants can put pressure on a Los Angeles team that is heavily favored to win the division.