Blake Snell’s rocky start with SF Giants continues, landing on injured list
SAN FRANCISCO — Blake Snell made a brief appearance in the Giants’ clubhouse Wednesday morning. He stopped by his locker, checked his phone and dashed out the door. Blink, and you’d miss him.
The left-hander was scheduled to make his fourth start of the season in the Giants’ series finale against the Mets, but he was scratched before first pitch and placed on the injured list with a strained adductor muscle in his left groin, which manager Bob Melvin deemed moderate.
Landen Roupp was recalled a day after being optioned to Triple-A Sacramento — he didn’t make it further than the hotel across the street from Oracle Park — and was expected to take down bulk innings behind Ryan Walker in the Giants’ first bullpen game of the year.
Landing on the injured list, Snell added another lump to his rocky start in San Francisco. Waiting until March 19 to sign a two-year, $62 million free-agent contract, Snell didn’t make his first start until the fourth series of the season while occupying an active roster spot, and he hasn’t been an asset since taking the mound.
The Giants have lost all three of Snell’s starts, and the reigning National League Cy Young winner has an 11.57 ERA. He has yet to make it out of the fifth inning while allowing opponents to hit .340 and put nearly two runners on base per inning.
“It was a quick build-up, but there were reasons for the quick build-up,” Melvin said. “Obviously to lose him for we don’t know how long yet is not great.”
The struggles can’t be blamed on the injury, which Melvin said Snell suffered during his most recent bullpen session.
“He shut himself down (and) the next day came out to throw some more, tried to lean on it a bit and there we have it,” Melvin said.
Snell was unavailable during the time reporters were in the clubhouse before Wednesday’s game.
With the move retroactive to Tuesday, Snell is eligible to be activated May 8, but Melvin suggested the absence could extend beyond the minimum time.
Where the Giants turn to cover Snell’s spot in the rotation is to be determined — Melvin and new pitching coach Bryan Price have tried to stay away from bullpen games — but they should be aided somewhat by their upcoming schedule. They have two off days before Snell is eligible, and they could potentially only need to fill one more of his turns in the rotation.
After Thursday’s day off, the Giants have Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks and Keaton Winn lined up to start the final three games of their home stand against the Pirates, all on an extra day of rest. With another day off Monday before their series in Boston, all three could pitch again on regular rest after Logan Webb before Snell’s turn.
“We do want to give some extra days to some guys,” Melvin said. “I definitely want to try to get Webby an extra day based on the (league-leading 38 ⅔) innings he’s thrown.”
Mason Black, who has a 1.53 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Sacramento, is “definitely an option,” Melvin said. “But I’m not sure where we’re going with that.”
As for their immediate needs Wednesday, the bullpen was well-positioned to take down an entire game after Logan Webb tossed eight scoreless innings the previous night. In addition to Roupp, newcomer Mitch White and Sean Hjelle are capable of pitching multiple innings.
Walker was happy to reclaim the opener role, which he performed 13 times last season with a 2.21 ERA. He said he was informed Tuesday night.
“I don’t expect him to throw more than six or seven innings today,” Melvin joked of his opener after Webb’s gem. “It’s gonna look a little different. He’s had experience and he’s done really well in that role. So it’s not unfamiliar to him.”