CINCINNATI — Just hours before the game began, rolled-up plastic sheets hung above the ‘ clubhouse lockers, poised to be unveiled like yet another division title banner. Boxes of Italian sparkling wine and Napa Cabernet were stacked in the hallway, while somewhere in the depths of territory, ski goggles were ready for use. Reporters arrived at the ballpark on Wednesday armed with rain jackets and extra clothes to protect themselves from the inevitable deluge of champagne.
The ’ magic number stood at one. Everyone knew that either a ’ victory over the Reds or a Padres loss to the Rockies would clinch the team’s impressive 13th division crown in 14 years. In his daily press briefing, manager Dave Roberts was first asked about what another division title means for the team.
“It’s a big deal. It’s not easy,” Roberts responded. “Many people think it’s simple, but it’s a rite of passage. Winning a division while everyone’s aiming at you, and keeping the team motivated through 162 games is tough. We’re all really proud of this… Hopefully, we can win today and celebrate with some champagne.”
However, the team had to wait at least 20 more hours before toasting their success, as Cincinnati defeated the 6-2, and the Padres won 9-3 in Denver, leaving the ’ magic number still at one. Although the division title win seems inevitable, the most notable story from Wednesday’s game was not the unopened bottles but rather the concern surrounding pitcher Blake Snell’s left groin.
Snell, noted for having the highest qualified career strikeout rate in baseball history, left the game after just one inning. His fastball velocity was down by 1.5 mph compared to his season average. After a pickoff to end the frame, he headed down the dugout steps and did not return. In the tunnel, Snell consulted with Roberts, pitching coach Mark Prior, and head trainer Thomas Albert, who together decided to take a cautious approach. The team later announced Snell’s exit was due to left groin tightness.
Following the game, Snell described his departure as a precautionary measure and said he does not plan on undergoing imaging. “I’m definitely glad I stopped,” said the two-time Cy Young winner. “We’ll see how the next few days go, then I’ll get ready to pitch.”
Snell first felt discomfort on the second last pitch of his pregame bullpen session. Initially planning to pitch at least five innings, he changed his mind after completing the first inning. Importantly, this is not Snell’s first issue with his left groin; he has been placed on the injured list multiple times in 2021, 2022, and twice in 2024 with either a “left groin strain” or “left adductor strain.”
“I’ve strained that groin four times,” Snell admitted. “I knew if I kept going, I would have made it worse. For me to stop—that’s new. Maybe I’m maturing, but it was definitely the right call.”
Despite Snell’s mature decision, the injury’s seriousness remains uncertain. Both Snell and Roberts told the media they will adopt a “wait and see” strategy, with Snell’s recovery over Thursday and Friday guiding next steps. Still, Roberts was cautiously realistic after the game, saying, “No one can really say what’s going to happen in the next week to 10 days.”
Snell’s injury complicates the ’ pursuit of a three-peat. Recent performances against a struggling Reds team have shown that the current offense can’t carry the team alone, reinforcing the need for their exceptional pitching staff to shine in October. This strategy depends heavily on Snell’s health and availability.
If Snell misses significant time, it may push Roki Sasaki back into the playoff rotation. Sasaki, currently sidelined with a blister, threw live batting practice before Wednesday’s game and was expected to return as a reliever—similar to last October when he excelled out of the bullpen after a tough regular season. Without Sasaki’s presence, the ’ beleaguered relief corps—which includes the struggling Edwin Díaz and injured Edgardo Henriquez—would face even greater pressure.
This situation also highlights the advancing age of the roster, which has the highest average age in baseball. While this experience has benefitted the team in recent years, the wear and tear of aging players—including Snell, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and others—reminds fans of the fragility that comes with time.
Fan Take: This update on Blake Snell’s injury is critical for baseball fans because it could reshape the ’ postseason outlook and impact the balance of power in the playoffs. It also underscores how aging rosters and injury risks remain a challenging reality for all teams striving for sustained success in MLB.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
