Immaculate Blake Snell impresses in rehab start

May 13, 2024, 10:01 AM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Blake Snell #7 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against th...

(Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell made his first rehab start on Sunday afternoon with Single-A San Jose–and did so in impressive fashion.

Snell, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 24th due to a left adductor strain, tossed four shutout innings while striking out seven batters during a 5-2 Giants win over the Stockton Ports.

Not only did Snell look sharp during his 46-pitch (34 strikes) performance, but he also accomplished one of the rarest feats in baseball by throwing an immaculate inning.

Snell sat down three straight batters on three pitches during his first inning of work to begin his rehab in a dominant fashion.

BLAKE SNELL IMMACULATE INNING

The @SFGiants southpaw is making his first rehab start with the @SJGiants. pic.twitter.com/i43ANXmyM4

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 12, 2024

More on SF Giants pitcher Blake Snell

San Francisco has been bitten by the injury bug early this season, with Snell’s injured list aligning with fellow starters Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (Tommy John recovery).

Along with injuries to Snell, Cobb, and Ray, the Giants will also have to navigate the near future without starting outfielders Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) and Michael Conforto (hamstring), along with shortstop Nick Ahmed (wrist), slugger Jorge Soler (shoulder), catcher Tom Murphy (knee), and outfielder Austin Slater (concussion).

Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, had yet to showcase his All-Star form before going down with an injury.

During his first three starts in a Giants uniform, Snell posted an 0-3 record and 11.57 ERA over 11.2 innings, striking out 12 batters and walking five.

It’s still early in the season, meaning that the southpaw has plenty of time to get back on the mound and help a San Francisco rotation that is currently ranked 24th in ERA (4.51) and 22nd in strikeouts (329).

According to The San Francisco Chronicle‘s Susan Slusser, Snell could make one more rehab start–this time with AAA Sacramento–later this week before rejoining the big-league rotation.

The River Cats will begin a six-game series against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (Los Angeles Dodgers’ AAA affiliate) on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park. If Snell makes a rehab start with Sacramento, it would likely take place later in the week.