In a surprising turn of events, the San Francisco Giants have placed pitcher Blake Snell on the injured list (IL) due to a left adductor strain. Snell, who was set to make his fourth start of the season against the New York Mets, will now have to wait until May to attempt a turnaround.

The announcement came just three hours before Snell was scheduled to take the mound and potentially help the Giants clinch a sweep against the Mets. The team made the decision to place Snell on the IL, retroactive to Tuesday, to allow him time to recover from the muscle strain.

Since joining the Giants and signing a two-year deal in the spring, Snell has had a disappointing start to the season. With an 0-3 record and a high 11.57 earned run average (ERA), the former Cy Young winner has struggled to find his form.

In Snell's absence, the Giants will opt for a bullpen game against their old friend, Sean Manaea, and the Mets. Ryan Walker, who frequently served as an "opener" last season, will get the start on Wednesday. Walker will be tasked with leading the pitching staff and keeping the Mets' offense at bay.

Snell's injury comes as a setback for the Giants, who were hoping for a strong performance from him to maintain their winning momentum. However, the team remains optimistic that Walker and the bullpen can step up to the challenge and secure another victory.

With Snell's placement on the IL, he will miss a minimum of 15 days, depriving him of the chance to bounce back until May. In the meantime, the Giants coaching staff will work closely with Snell to make adjustments and help him regain his Cy Young caliber form.

As the Giants face off against the Mets in a bullpen game, fans eagerly await to see if the team can continue their winning streak despite the absence of their star pitcher.