![View from behind of Blake Snell throwing a pitch.](https://www.sanfranciscosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2159755397.0.jpg)
One step closer…
Blake Snell made the third appearance of his rehab assignment on Wednesday, and we can all breathe out now. The San Francisco Giants had been planning for this to be Snell’s final rehab start before returning to the rotation on Tuesday, but, given the way things have gone for him this season, it felt like we needed to see how he pitched and how his body felt before finalizing those plans.
They’re probably finalized now, because Snell was thoroughly dominant for the AAA Sacramento River Cats. Just as he did in his final rehab appearance for his earlier IL stint, Snell didn’t allow a hit — he ended up with five no-hit, shutout innings, ceding just one walk while striking out nine batters, and he needed just 67 pitches. Yep, that works just fine, thank you very much.
The Giants had reportedly been targeting 75-80 pitches for Snell’s final tuneup, but given how efficiently he worked — and thus how many up-downs he had — not to mention the fact that it was 102 degrees in Sacramento, I’m guessing they’ll be plenty fine with this.
The rotation is now taking shape, as Kyle Harrison is set to pitch on Friday. It seems the Giants will head into the All-Star break with a rotation of Snell, Harrison, Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks, and Hayden Birdsong (with Spencer Bivens on standby), and then hopefully welcome Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb back into the fold shortly after the break.
Things are looking up!
What time do the Giants play today?
San Francisco and Atlanta conclude their series today at 4:20 p.m. PT. Winner takes all! Well, not really. But winner takes most.