Giants' Blake Snell Will Make 1st Start vs. Nationals After Simulated Game

San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell is expected to make his debut on April 8 against the Washington Nationals, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports.

Per Pavlovic, Snell is expected to throw a simulated game "this week" before he eventually takes the mound. The Giants signed the 2023 National League Cy Young Award-winner to a two-year deal worth $62 million on March 18 after he remained a free agent for the majority of the offseason.

With the season starting shortly after Snell's signing, he's attempted to get ready for the regular season without a spring training start. He pitched four innings against San Francisco's Double-A affiliate on Saturday, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Snell gave up three hits and struck out 11 batters on 74 pitches.

"I feel good," he said, per Maria Guardado of MLB.com. "Just get more reps, get better and better, stronger and stronger. When we get out there, that will be the real tell of where I'm at and what I need to work on. I'll get better from there."

The Giants have gotten off to a modest 2-2 start to the season, although pitching has become an early issue as they've allowed 19 runs over the past two games. This includes an ugly 13-4 defeat on Sunday, as starter Daulton Jefferies allowed nine hits and five earned runs in just two innings of work.

If he maintains his 2023 form, Snell should help San Francisco avoid early deficits and start piling up wins. He's coming off a season in which he compiled a 14-9 record, while his 2.25 ERA led all pitchers in the majors. He also racked up 234 strikeouts in 180 innings.

The Giants will have a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a three-game series against the San Diego Padres before Snell's debut.