2 min read • April 11, 2022
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Padres' left hander Blake Snell was scratched before his first start of the season after experiencing left adductor tightness, something that caused him to miss the final two weeks of the regular season last year.
Manager Bob Melvin told reporters after the game that Snell is likely heading for IL, but he didn't specify how long the 29-year-old is expected to miss.
Snell reportedly did not deal with adductor issues this spring, but the injury arose with his last warmup pitch Sunday, according to Melvin.
Obviously it's never good when one season's injury leaks into another season. It can be a potential red flag that the original issue wasn't fully solved.
The ProBaseballDocs, including former Texas Rangers head physician Dr. John Conway, have concerns about Snell.
Any injury on the left side is not good for a left-handed starting pitcher. The key question is why he felt tightness and what the core issue is.
The best case scenario would be that Snell is a casualty of the reduced spring training. Many pitchers have dealt with soft tissue injuries with the quick ramp up, including White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.
Either way, the issue is not likely to go away in the early part of the season. The Padres will have to find a replacement in the rotation.
That could open the door for a Mackenzie Gore call-up. The 23-year-old left hander made six starts in AAA last season, finishing with a 5.85 ERA.
He made his season debut in AAA Saturday, pitching five scoreless innings while striking out seven.
San Diego could also turn to Dinelson Lamet, who opened the year in the bullpen but was a starter for the Padres his previous four seasons.
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