The '263.3 billion super-large selection' is just '80 innings... On "Glass Body" Snell, "No expectations to return to the opening game."

*This content was translated by AI.

No one doubts the skills of the main characters of the two major leagues' Cy Young Awards. The problem is physical condition. The Los Angeles Dodgers are also putting down their expectations for Blake Snell (34) due to his frequent injury.

MLB.COM, the official website of the Major League Baseball (MLB), said on the 1st (Korea time), "There is a 'probably zero' chance that Snell will return to the opening game."

Due to pain in the left shoulder, he was unable to properly train for pitching during the offseason and was not in good condition at the start of camp. The injured area, which had to be rested for four months last year, is causing trouble again, causing further concern.

Manager Dave Roberts said, "Snell is not on the mound right now, he is not playing in the game," adding, "There is little possibility that he will start the season opener."

The exhibition game is already underway and most pitchers are in real-world mode, but Snell is only playing catch from a distance of 30m two weeks after the camp was called up. He plans to increase his distance soon, but the fact that he failed to properly shape his body in time for the opening is a big blow to the Dodgers.

No one doubts Snell's ability. Snell, who entered MLB in 2011 after being nominated by the Tampa Bay Rays, made his big league debut in 2016 and won the American League Cy Young Award with 21 wins and 1.89 ERA in 2018.

However, the prevailing evaluation is that the durability to maintain such skills has not been supported. The following year, he only played 107 innings.

After failing to fill 130 innings for two consecutive years after moving to the San Diego Padres in 2021, he once again rebounded completely with 14 wins and ERA 2.25 in 32 games and 180 innings in 2023 and this time became the main character of the National League Cy Young Award.

Only seven players have won the Cy Young Award in MLB history over 100 years in both leagues. Standing shoulder to shoulder with him were Gailod Perry, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roy Halladay and Max Scherzer, all of whom are Hall of Fame-listed legends, except for Clemens and Scherzer, who have yet to be eligible for the ban.

Nevertheless, the label of a half-player has always followed Snell. Snell, who moved to the San Francisco Giants in 2024 after a perfect 2023, played only 20 games and 104 innings.

However, the Dodgers made a bold investment in Snell, who came to the market as a free agent. It invested 182 million dollars (about 263.3 billion won) for five years.

ERA met expectations with 2.35, but he was out for too long due to injury and ended the season with a 5-4 record, playing only 61 ⅓ in 11 games. In the fall baseball, he met expectations with three wins and two losses in six games and ERA 3.18, but he could not shake off his disappointment easily.

He has played only 435 innings in the last five years and an average of 87 innings in the season. It's a poor innings capability for a starting pitcher.

Snell, who has revealed that his shoulder is not perfect, said in an interview early last month, "Last year, there were so many things to prove. I was so excited that I was in a hurry to participate in the spring camp and finish it, he said. "I'm going to raise my body condition more slowly and wisely this year."

The Dodgers have many pitchers to fill Snell's vacancy temporarily. It is more important not to repeat the injury even if you take enough time to rest due to the injury after returning quickly. MLB.COM predicted, "The club has not yet specified the timing of Snell's return, but it will be difficult to wear the Dodgers uniform and take the mound before May at the earliest."

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*This content was translated by AI.