Blake Snell almost ready for Dodgers return: Best Ive felt in three years

Blake Snell doesn’t really use his ring or pinky fingers to manipulate his throws when he pitches.So, even as he had felt numbness in the digits the last couple years, he didn’t really think much of it.“I couldn’t feel these fingers,” he said Friday, pointing to the outer two extremities on his left throwing hand.“They were kind of numb, but I don’t need them, so I didn’t really care.”At least, that’s how Snell felt before he underwent a surgical procedure earlier this year to remove bone chips from his elbow.Now, he realizes just how compromised his arm had been by the issue –– from his elbow, to his shoulder, all the way down to the tips of his hand.“It’s the best I’ve felt in three years by far,” the Dodgers’ ace declared, now two months removed from his surgery and on the verge of returning to the team’s starting rotation.

“Shoulder feels great.Elbow feels great.

Body feels great.I’ve been able to rest, heal.” California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story Snell has one last box to check before he rejoins the Dodgers.After a promising performance in his third minor-league rehab start on Wednesday (four scoreless innings with single-A Ontario with nine strikeouts), the two-time Cy Young winner is scheduled to complete his recovery process in a five-inning outing with triple-A Oklahoma City next Tuesday.There was a thought Snell could be ready to be activated by next week.But earlier this season, his elbow flared up on him after an initial rehab assignment –– as part of his recovery from offseason shoulder pain –– was cut one start short. Thus, “I’m not going to argue it,” Snell quipped.

“I did last time and I got hurt.So, yeah, I’m going to shut up.”Instead, Snell is hopeful his improved hea...