PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. _ Rays starter Blake Snell is optimistic a cortisone shot will alleviate inflammation in his left elbow that caused discomfort but acknowledged he doesn't know if he will be ready to start the season on time.
Snell said he felt more sore than normal after his first spring start on Wednesday and on Thursday was concerned because it was coming from the area where he had bone chips removed last July and was "super sore."
Snell said a CT scan showed there were no further chips and the diagnosis was inflammation, which was a relief.
He chose to take precautionary action now by getting the shot in hopes of not being impacted later in the season and otherwise feels good.
"I'm not concerned at all about it. Concerned enough to get a shot, yeah. Just cause the inflammation, just get it out because it was annoying," he said. "But from a throwing standpoint, I do feel great."
He won't start throwing again until playing catch Tuesday, and how he feels then, and how quickly he gets back on the mound and on a schedule will determine if he is ready to open the season, which starts March 26.
"I still plan on it," he said. "I should be. But we'll see. I don't think this is going to set me back much."
Manager Kevin Cash had a similar take, that they are hopeful shot helps, don't think it's a major issue, and won't know for a while if he will be ready to start the season on time.
