Dodgers Pitcher Blake Snell Undergoes Elbow Surgery Using New Device

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell underwent surgery Tuesday to remove three loose bone spurs from his elbow. 0, a smaller version of a traditional arthroscope. According to a source, the device can cut up to a month off the typical recovery time from such operations. Snell had been placed on the injured list last week after being diagnosed with loose bodies in his elbow.

Snell began the season on the injured list and pitched in one game before returning to the list. The location of the bone spurs made him a candidate for the NanoNeedle method. His surgery was performed by head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The two-time Cy Young Award winner previously underwent traditional loose-body removal surgery in 2019 while with the Tampa Bay Rays and missed almost two months.

Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes said in recent days they were hopeful Snell would return quicker than usual. “Hopefully it’s the shorter timeline,” Gomes said Monday. “That’s the hope and expectation right now. ” Snell is the second major-league pitcher to have the NanoNeedle procedure.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal had the operation on May 6 and has already resumed a throwing program.