Former Tampa Bay Rays Ace Blake Snell Cleared to Pitch Against Former Team on Sunday

San Diego Padres lefty Blake Snell has been cleared to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday despite being hit by a comebacker in his most recent start. Snell spent five years with the Rays, winning the American League Cy Young in 2018.

The Tampa Bay Rays will get to see an old friend on Sunday, after all, as former Rays ace Blake Snell has been cleared to pitch for the San Diego Padres.

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Snell (ankle) is listed as the Padres' probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays.

ANALYSIS
Snell contended with swelling in his left ankle after being struck by a comebacker during his most recent start Sunday in Colorado, but the injury nor pitching at Coors Field prevented him from delivering his best outing of the season. The veteran southpaw set season highs in both innings pitched (seven) and strikeouts (12) while allowing one run on just three hits and one walk. After a middling start to the season, Snell has been rolling over his last four turns through the rotation, pitching to a 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB in 24 innings over that stretch. With the swollen ankle apparently not proving to be too bothersome during his between-starts bullpen session, Snell looks like he'll face no restrictions Saturday while facing off against his former team for the first time.

The lefty spent five years in Tampa, winning the American League Cy Young award in 2018. He went 21-5 that season with a 1.89 ERA. He also made the All-Star team.

He also was an integral part of the Rays 2020 team that advanced to the World Series and lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lifetime, he's 59-52 with a 3.44 ERA.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.