Snell feeling ‘strong and confident’ after beginning Triple-A rehab originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – Blake Snell last start of rehabilitation in the minors he did so well that the Giants pitcher was able to joke about the only real mistake he made.
It happened in the third inning when Snell unfurled a wild pitch that sailed over everyone at the plate before coming to rest near the fence at Sutter Health Field on Friday.
According to Snell, he and Sacramento River Cats catcher Jakson Reetz had communication issues. Snell had planned to throw a curveball, but Reetz signaled for a fastball as the pitch clock was running out.
“We went through all the signs, had one second left, (Reetz) called the fastball,” Snell explained. “I had a curved grip. I was like, ‘Waste a pitch.’ And that caused some entertainment. We laughed about it.”
That was literally the only asterisk during a remarkable night for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
In what is possibly, if not likely, his final tune-up, Snell notched 10 strikeouts in five hitless innings. The crafty lefty threw 60 pitches (41 strikeouts), walked one and struck out another.
“That was good,” Snell said. “I was repeating proposals, repeating deliveries, correcting errors. That’s really all I wanted to see. I feel much better this time than I did last week. So I’m really excited about that.”
Snell threw 46 pitches for Single-A San Jose last Sunday before dominating the Oklahoma City Baseball Club – the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Snell retired the team in order three times and faced one over the minimum before going to the bullpen to do some additional work. Snell said he threw 15 pitches out of the bullpen, bringing his total to 75 for the night.
“(That’s) where I want to be,” Snell said of the pitch count. “We’ll go back (to San Francisco) tomorrow, talk and see where to go.”
While the Giants haven’t said exactly what their next step will be, Snell looked and sounded like a pitcher ready to return.
The groin injury that placed Snell on the injured list in late April no longer appears to be an issue. Snell said he could feel that at times on Friday, but was easily able to overcome it.
“I felt a little, but it was nothing that worried me. As the game went on, I felt stronger and stronger,” Snell said.
Snell had a good mix of arguments. His fastball was routinely clocked in the mid-90s, as he mixed a steady sinker and disconcerting changeups to keep Oklahoma City hitters off balance.
The 31-year-old was pretty pleased with almost everything he did, except when he tried to turn up the heat with his four-seam fastball.
“My head was kind of getting out of the way instead of staying strong and trusting it, trusting my delivery,” Snell said. “That’s probably the only thing that really upset me. Other than that, everything was straight on the plate.”
Now it’s a wait and see game for Snell, who was the Giants’ biggest and most prized offseason acquisition after signing a two-year, $62 million contract that includes an opt-out after the 2024 season.
The reigning NL Cy Young winner is eager to get back to the majors after going 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA to start the season.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the big leagues, being myself and being able to help the team,” Snell said. “At first I didn’t help the team at all. It didn’t help me at all. So to be able to feel strong and confident and make the shots that I know I can make, I’m really excited.”
