Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell leaves start after an inning because of groin tightness

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CINCINNATI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell left his start Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds after an inning because of left groin tightness.

“I felt good all day (then) the second to last pitch of the bullpen, I (felt) a grab,” Snell said. “I threw one more pitch, then ran out to the dugout. I was just kind of talking to myself throughout that first inning. I was going to try to get through five but didn't really have a good shot at doing that.”

Snell allowed a single to Sal Stewart and had one strikeout in the first inning. Stewart was picked off to end the inning. Snell threw 19 pitches, 10 for strikes before leaving the game.

Snell (4-1, 1.86 ERA) began the season on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. He had surgery in May to remove loose bodies and bone spurs from his left elbow.

He has had groin issues in the past. In 2021, he spent time on the injured list with a left adductor strain, missed almost a month in 2022, and had an IL stint in 2024 due to groin strains.

“It doesn't feel as severe as the times we've dealt with this in the past,” Snell said. “I kept pitching on two of them and strained both of them. So for me to stop, that's a first.”

Snell said he'd like to get one more start in the regular season.

“Obviously, happy that he alerted us early to get him out of the game, not make it worse,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think No. 1 is we'll see how he comes in tomorrow, how he feels, get some more treatment. When we get back to LA then we can make that decision.”

The Dodgers used six relievers after Snell exited in a 6- 2 loss to the Reds that prevented them from clinching the NL West. They already have wrapped up a 14th consecutive postseason berth.

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