The Tampa Bay Rays could be getting their reigning Cy Young winner back just in time for the stretch run of the season.
Rays lefty Blake Snell, who has been out for almost a month after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow, said on Monday that he played catch for the first time since the procedure. Snell also expressed optimism about a September return, per team reporter Neil Solondz.
The 26-year-old had not been particularly sharp before his injury, going 6-7 with a 4.28 ERA. But the Rays are currently clinging to the second AL Wild Card spot, and the return of their star southpaw would only be a good thing.
Snell would also benefit from an opportunity to salvage a 2019 campaign that was marred by a bizarre toe injury back in April as well.
