Dodgers' Blake Snell Makes Progress in Return to Mound

"Blake Snell making taking next steps in progression threw off the mound yesterday with catcher standing up. Before Monday, he'd been limited to throwing on flat ground in an attempt to avoid the shoulder pain that cost him much of last season."

"But I'm just going to take my time. Last year, I was rushing. I wanted to pitch so bad. But I'm going to take my time. The goal is to be ready Opening Day, but I'm going to take my time. I'll know more once I'm [at Spring Training], throwing bullpens, pitching in games."

"Time's ticking, but like I told him the other day, Opening Day is not necessarily a hard and fast target for us. Manager Dave Roberts has said the team plans to give Snell the time he needs to be ready and healthy."

Blake Snell, recovering from a shoulder injury that limited him last season, has reached a significant milestone in his rehabilitation. After being pain-free and beginning his throwing program, Snell threw off the mound with a catcher standing up, marking progress in his recovery timeline. During spring training at Camelback Ranch, he had been restricted to flat-ground throwing to manage shoulder pain. Snell emphasized taking a measured approach this year, contrasting with last season when he rushed his recovery. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts supports this cautious strategy, indicating the team will provide necessary time for Snell's full recovery rather than forcing an Opening Day return.

Read at Dodgers Nation