Dodgers’ Snell lands on IL with loose bodies in elbow

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed left-hander Blake Snell on the 15-day injured list Friday with loose bodies in his elbow.

Snell felt something “in the back of” his elbow while playing catch Thursday, manager Dave Roberts told reporters, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Snell is likely to undergo surgery to address the issue, sources told Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times.

Roberts was unable to provide a timeline for Snell. However, the pitcher will likely be out until July or August if he undergoes a procedure, reports Jack Harris of the California Post.

“I think right now anything is on the table,” Roberts said. “Obviously, we had the test to determine there were loose bodies. We’re still talking through what’s next. I think at the end of the day, we feel confident that he’s going to be back with us this year. Either path. But right now, no definitive decision has been made.”

This is not the first time that Snell has dealt with loose bodies. He underwent surgery to remove them in 2019 while with the Tampa Bay Rays and missed almost two months as a result.

Snell only made 11 regular-season starts in 2025 due to shoulder issues, although he threw 34 innings during the Dodgers’ playoff run. He entered spring training experiencing the same type of shoulder discomfort he felt at the end of the postseason and opened 2026 on the IL with shoulder fatigue.

The 33-year-old is in the second season of a five-year, $182-million contract. He returned to the Dodgers’ rotation May 9 against the Atlanta Braves but lasted just three innings while allowing five runs (four earned).

Snell had been scheduled to start Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels before being scratched a few hours ahead of first pitch. Right-hander Will Klein was chosen to open Friday’s bullpen game instead. It’s unclear who might take Snell’s spot in the rotation going forward.

Charlie Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. The 30-year-old joined the Dodgers as a waiver claim from the Chicago Cubs last week. He made one appearance with Chicago earlier this season after spending most of the last four years in Korea.

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