Blake Snell has been unavailable due to injury after being placed on the Injured List in late April. However, it sounds like the veteran pitcher is nearing a return to the San Francisco Giants‘ rotation, alongside a couple of other teammates as well.

Reports indicate that Snell, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Robbie Ray are all making rehab appearances for the Sacramento River Cats on Monday, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. Blake Snell is set to start on the mound while Ray is expected to throw for three innings.

“If you’re in Sacramento, go to the River Cats game tomorrow. LaMonte Wade Jr., Robbie Ray, and Blake Snell will all be rehabbing there. Snell is starting the game and Ray will throw three innings.”

That's great news for the Giants as this suggests that all three players are nearing a return to the Majors. San Francisco hasn't been all that competitive over recent years. However, they could make a mid-season surge if they can get healthy. Especially Blake Snell, who was brought into the roster to serve as a top-two option on the mound.

Although that may be true, it's been a bumpy ride for Snell this season. He's playing well below his career averages and doesn't look like the star pitcher we know him as. So far this season, Blake Snell has recorded a measly 9.51 ERA with 31 strikeouts and a 1.944 WHIP.

Hopefully, he can turn things around once he returns to the Giants‘ rotation. His consistency would go a long way in San Francisco going on a hot streak this summer. But only time will tell if that happens or not. As of now, Blake Snell just needs to focus on getting healthy so he can play his best.

What can we expect from Blake Snell when he returns from injury?

Blake Snell
© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

As previously mentioned, it's been a rough year for Blake Snell. He hasn't looked like his normal self and his play has hurt the Giants more often than not. Ideally, Snell returns from injury and gets back to his 3.35 ERA career average for the remainder of the season. But at this point, that doesn't feel all too realistic.

At the very least, Blake Snell could return and serve as a consistent pitcher for the remainder of the season. If he can keep the ERA low and pick up his strikeout rate, then he can certainly turn things around. The Giants signed Snell to a two-year $62 million contract last offseason. So, hopefully, the veteran pitcher lives up to the contract once he gets back to the Majors.