The Los Angeles Dodgers announced ahead of Wednesday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres that left-handed reliever Adam Liberatore was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and starter Rich Hill was placed on the 10-day with left middle finger inflammation.
Hill’s DL stint is retroactive to April 15. He has a history of blisters, so this injury could be a concerning one if they have resurfaced. Hill missed a big portion of the 2016 season with blister issues, as well as some time at the beginning of the 2017 season.
In three starts so far this year, Hill is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA, 4.92 FIP and 1.60 WHIP while striking out 16 and walking seven in 15 innings of work.
Hill was scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. The team has a day off on Thursday, so they have the luxury of being able to move their other starters up, rather than make another roster move.
Clayton Kershaw will likely move up to Friday, with Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood following on Saturday and Sunday on normal rest. However, the Dodgers would need a fifth starter by Wednesday, and face the prospect of a doubleheader at AT&T Park next Saturday.
Hill is eligible to return on April 25, which could resolve one factor. If this is a blister issue though, he may be forced to miss more time which would mean that the Dodgers would need another starter to fill in for him.
Liberatore has appeared in five games so far with Oklahoma City, tossing 6.1 innings without allowing an earned run. He has given up six hits and two unearned runs, striking out nine and walking two.
The 30-year-old had an injury-plagued 2017 season, but he was a reliable reliever for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in 2016, appearing in 58 games at the Major League level.
