Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with shoulder inflammation. In a corresponding move, right-hander Matt Sauer was recalled.

Dodgers Place Blake Snell on Injured List in Surprise Move | Dodgers Nation

The Dodgers recalled RHP Matt Sauer and placed LHP Blake Snell on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 3.

Snell threw a bullpen Sunday morning, but spoke with Dodgers trainer Thomas Albert and general manager Brandon Gomes afterward.

The Dodgers will need to find a replacement for Snell, who was supposed to start Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. L.A. will likely call up Landon Knack or Justin Wrobleski to fill in for the two-time Cy Young winner.

Snell has a 2.00 ERA with four strikeouts across nine innings pitched, but will head to the injured list early in his Dodgers tenure.

The Dodgers gave Snell the domestic Opening Day nod, which came as no surprise given the left-hander’s signing headlined the offseason for L.A.

At his introductory press conference, the excitement was palpable as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he expects Snell to thrive in Dodger blue.

“With a guy that’s enjoyed that much success, usually in major league free agency, you’re buying the back-side of a guy’s career, the accomplishments that they have had,” Friedman said. “With Blake, one thing that’s really exciting for us is, for as much success as he’s had, we feel like there’s more in there and a lot of upside beyond what he’s done to this point, and the impact that can have on us and our quest to win a World Series this year, and as many years as we can see out.”

The 32-year-old is no stranger to injury issues as he landed on the injured list twice in 2024 with the San Francisco Giants.

Hopefully, Snell returns sooner rather than later, but the injuries are beginning to pile up for the defending champions. The good news is the Dodgers have plenty of pitching depth to provide reinforcements for injured starters.