San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell just couldn't catch a break in the 2024 MLB season. Having already spent time on the injured list back in April, the two-time Cy Young award winner will be on the IL again after prematurely ending his start on Sunday versus the New York Yankees because of an issue in his left groin.7-5

Snell was battling Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo in the fifth inning right before he exited the mound with the said lower-body injury, which appears to be close to what he dealt with when he first landed on the IL.

“It feels the same, so we'll see,” Snell said after the Giants' 7-5 home loss in the series finale versus the visiting Yankees (h/t ESPN).

“The MRI will tell us and we'll go from there. It's definitely a bummer and frustrating, but got to look on to what's next and attack that, get better and get back on the field,” Snell added.

Giants manager Bob Melvin revealed the plan for Snell to go under an MRI this Monday while hinting at another trip to the IL for the pitcher.

“I don't think he's moving around worse than last time,” Melvin shared after the game, “but I don't know how it's not an IL [situation].”

Giants' Blake Snell absorbs another blow 

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) walks off of the field with athletic trainer Dave Groeschner (right) during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park.
Blake Snell (Giants) walks off the field during a game against the Yankees.

Snell's struggles to stay healthy this season rivals his inability to find consistency on the mound. His pitching is a completely different nightmare, as he's only 0-3 with a dizzying 9.51 ERA to go along with a 1,944 WHIP through his first six starts in Giants uniform. In the Yankees game, Snell gave up a total of three earned runs on five hits with three walks issued and seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings of duty on the hill. It was perhaps his best performance to date as a Giant, but unfortunately, it came at the expense of his body that broke down again.

It may be fair to partly blame Snell's health issues on his lack of preparation for the 2024 season. He ended his free agency very late in the offseason, only inking a deal with the Giants just under 10 days from San Francisco's season opener against the San Diego Padres, his former team, on the road. During his debut for the Giants on Apr. 8 against the Washington Nationals at home, Snell lasted just three innings, during which he allowed three earned runs on three hits with two free passes issued and five Nats hitters fanned.

Snell, who turned 31 last December, signed a two-year deal with the Giants worth $62 million. That contract includes an opt-out option for the 2025 MLB season. Given his troubles on the mound, Snell has pressure to pitch like the ace he's used to be viewed once he returns from his IL stint. Otherwise, he'd likely be left with no practical option outside of staying with the Giants for $38.5 million in 2025. If he opts out with subpar 2024 numbers, he'd be making a huge gamble on himself in the free-agent market.

With or without Snell, the Giants will have to figure out a way to end their losing skid and get back to winning games. They are on a four-game winless streak after their latest loss to the Yankees. However, their 29-31 record is still just half a game outside of the third and final wild-card slot in the National League. San Francisco will look to end the drought this Monday when the  Giants kick off a three-game road series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.