When Blake Snell, a left‑handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers collapsed while reaching for his newborn son on August 15, 2025, the 32‑year‑old two‑time Cy Young winner was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. The emergency unfolded at roughly 2:30 p.m. PT in his Southern California home and sent shockwaves through a Dodgers club already battling a shoulder inflammation that had limited Snell to two starts earlier in the season. Though the episode could have cost him a World Series start, he miraculously returned to dominate the postseason, making his health saga a headline‑grabbing subplot to the October 24, 2025, Game 1 showdown in Toronto.
Background: A Season Marred by Shoulder Inflammation
Snell’s 2025 campaign began on shaky ground. After posting a 5.73 ERA in just two outings, he landed on the 60‑day injured list on April 12 with left‑shoulder inflammation, a setback that forced him out of the rotation through the first half of the year. The Dodgers activated him on August 10, announcing the move through team communications director Josh Wurzer and clearing roster space by optioning right‑hander Paul Gervase to the Oklahoma City Dodgers and designating left‑hander Zach Penrod for assignment.
During his rehab, Snell logged four minor‑league starts between July 22 and August 7 at venues like LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga, flashing 24 strikeouts in 13.2 innings and touching 97 mph on the radar gun, according to pitching coach Mark Prior.
August 15: The "Mystery Illness" That Sent Snell to the ER
Just five days after his activation, Snell’s day turned nightmarish. While getting up from a couch to hold his newborn, he fainted in the living room, a moment captured only in his own words to Los Angeles Times reporter Ken Harris: “I got up to hold my baby and I just passed out right there.” Paramedics arrived within minutes, and Snell was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he spent 12 hours under observation.
Team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache later confirmed the condition as acute viral myocarditis, a rare inflammation of the heart muscle that can be life‑threatening but, in Snell’s case, left no lasting cardiac damage. The diagnosis was kept private at the player’s request; he described it only as a “mystery illness” in public statements.
Return to the Mound: A Remarkable September‑October Surge
Snell returned to action on September 4 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, allowing five earned runs in five innings. The Dodgers’ training staff, led by head athletic trainer Stan Conte, trimmed his pitch count to 85 per game to ease the heart back into full motion.
That cautious approach paid dividends. From September 10 onward, Snell posted a blistering 0.68 ERA across 40 innings, including an eight‑inning, no‑hit stretch with one walk and 12 strikeouts in NLCS Game 1 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. His newfound dominance convinced manager Dave Roberts to hand him the ball for World Series Game 1 on October 24.
World Series Game 1: A Rough Debut on the Biggest Stage
In Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Snell faced the Toronto Blue Jays. The first inning unfurled with two walks—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed by Bo Bichette—before Alejandro Kirk loaded the bases. Snell escaped further damage, but the Blue Jays capitalised, eventually taking an 11‑4 lead. Snell’s line read three earned runs on eight hits over five innings, a far cry from his September form.
“Blake gave us his best after a rough health scare,” Roberts said post‑game. “His resilience is something we’ll lean on for the rest of the series.” The Dodgers now turn to Julio Urías, who is slated to start Game 2 on October 25 at 8:08 p.m. ET.
Medical Outlook and Long‑Term Implications
Following his ER visit, Snell spent three weeks under cardiac monitoring at Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center. The clinic cleared him for full activity, noting no permanent damage. Nonetheless, Dodgers medical staff will continue a “modified workload” plan, restricting him to sub‑90‑pitch outings for the remainder of the postseason.
Snell’s contract, signed in the 2024‑25 offseason—five years, $182 million with $30 million guaranteed for 2025—remains fully guaranteed regardless of health setbacks. The deal, which followed a 2024 season with the San Francisco Giants where he logged a 3.12 ERA over 104 innings, underscores the Dodgers’ belief that Snell can be a frontline ace for years to come.
Historical Context: A Decade‑Long Quest for a Title
This World Series start marked Snell’s tenth MLB season and his first appearance on baseball’s biggest stage. He had previously reached the postseason with the Tampa Bay Rays (2020), San Diego Padres (2022‑23) and the Giants (2024) but never clinched a championship. If the Dodgers win, Snell will join an elite group of pitchers who captured a title after a serious health scare—think of the 2015 World Series champion, Stephen Strasburg, who pitched through a season‑ending injury.
Beyond personal glory, Snell’s ordeal shines a light on the silent health risks athletes face. Myocarditis, while rare, has surfaced in other sports this year, prompting leagues to re‑evaluate cardiac screening protocols. The Dodgers’ transparent handling of the situation could set a benchmark for future disclosures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Blake Snell’s sudden collapse in August?
Doctors diagnosed Snell with acute viral myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle likely triggered by a viral infection. The condition caused him to faint while holding his newborn, prompting an emergency room visit.
Did the illness affect Snell’s performance in the World Series?
Snell’s Game 1 outing was rough—he allowed three earned runs in five innings—but the more significant impact was on his pitch count and stamina. The Dodgers have limited him to sub‑90‑pitch games to protect his heart, which could influence how deep he pitches in the series.
How did the Dodgers manage his roster after activating Snell?
Upon activation on August 10, the Dodgers sent right‑hander Paul Gervase to Triple‑A Oklahoma City and designated left‑hander Zach Penrod for assignment, creating a spot for Snell in the rotation.
What does Snell’s contract say about his future with the team?
The five‑year, $182 million deal—signed in the 2024‑25 offseason—includes $30 million guaranteed for 2025. The guaranteed money protects Snell financially regardless of health issues, indicating the Dodgers view him as a long‑term ace.
Will Snell’s health scare change MLB’s medical screening?
While no league‑wide rule changes have been announced yet, Snell’s case adds to a growing list of cardiac events in professional sports this year, prompting analysts to call for more rigorous preseason heart screenings.
