Spring Training Setback for Dodgers’ Michael Grove
Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove faced a significant setback this spring when he underwent season-ending surgery to repair his right labrum. On a quiet Sunday morning at Camelback Ranch, Grove entered the Dodgers clubhouse with his right arm in a sling, quietly declining to speak with reporters. The 28-year-old right-hander had thrown a couple of bullpen sessions during spring training but hasn’t pitched in a game since injuring his shoulder in the Division Series against the Padres last year.
The Journey and Challenges of Michael Grove
Grove’s injury isn’t a new struggle; it’s been a persistent issue that has been bothering him for some time. Despite his attempts to pitch through the pain, the recovery process didn’t go as planned. Manager Dave Roberts explained, "It’s been a shoulder issue that’s been bothering him for, I don’t know how far back. He tried to pitch through it and the recovery wasn’t what any of us would have liked. We tried the rest approach, and we just felt that we had to get the surgery done." This setback is particularly difficult for Grove, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017. He was bidding for a spot in the bullpen after a mixed 2022 season, where he went 4-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 51 innings, mostly in relief. Despite the challenges, Grove remained determined to compete for a job this year, but his injury has put those plans on hold.
Blake Snell’s Progress and Adaptation
On a brighter note, left-hander Blake Snell made significant progress in his spring training outing against the Athletics on Sunday. Snell, who struggled through 3 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits,including a solo home run, was still optimistic about his performance. He threw 67 pitches, struck out five, walked one, and hit 97 mph with his fastball. "I’m happy with that," Snell said of his velocity. "Towards the end there, I was just trying to get a strike. I kind of lost feel. But overall I felt good."
Adjusting to a New Team
A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Snell signed a five-year, $182 million free-agent deal with the Dodgers in November, making them the fourth team he has pitched for since 2020. Snell noted that adapting to a new team and environment has been easier this year. "The first time I did it, it was pretty difficult for me," he said. "Learning myself, learning coaches, learning players, not going there to, you know, try to impress people. It’s just more so proving myself, that I’m doing the right things." Snell is scheduled to make his next appearance in one of the Dodgers’ spring training exhibitions in Japan next weekend, where he will continue to calibrate his skills and gain confidence.
Preparing for the Season
Snell emphasized the importance of the spring training process, stating, "You’re going out there and getting reps, so you’re just learning. You give up a hit, it’s like OK, what did I do right? What did I do wrong? Do I like that? Was that a good swing, or was that a bad pitch? You’re just kind of calibrating everything. By the time the season starts, then you have a better idea of what you’re doing. But you’re still learning and calibrating. It just takes a while. That’s kind of where I’m at. I continue to get better."
Scheduling and Final Preparations
As the Dodgers prepare for their trip to Japan, manager Dave Roberts is planning the final details of the spring training schedule. Roberts noted that while Mookie Betts and Michael Conforto will have a day off before the team leaves for Japan on Wednesday, most of the regular players will continue to play in the final two games in Arizona. "Mookie is going to be off tomorrow, and then he’ll play Tuesday. Conforto is going to play tomorrow; he won’t play on Tuesday," Roberts said. "But I think for the most part you’ll see the regular guys." The team is focusing on ensuring that players are well-rested and ready for the upcoming season, both physically and mentally.
