The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has been plagued by injuries so far this season, with Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu all spending time on the disabled list thus far.
Hill missed nearly a full month due to a finger issue, although the problem was with a cracked fingernail, not a blister, which he has dealt with extensively in the past. Hill then dealt with an infection in the middle finger of his throwing hand.
After returning from the 10-day DL and making a couple starts, Hill lasted just two pitches on Saturday before being removed because of a blister that ripped open. He was subsequently placed on the disabled list on Sunday morning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimated Hill is going to be sidelined for roughly one month, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“Four weeks is fair,” Roberts said before Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals. “To get back on a major-league mound, that’s fair.” He added, “It’s going to be quite the process.”
Four weeks may be a bit of an optimistic timetable for Hill considering how often he has dealt with blister issues in the past. If he comes back to early and reopens the blister, then he will be back at square one. So the Dodgers will certainly proceed with caution with the 38-year-old.
Hill hasn’t exactly fared well when he has been able to pitch this season, going 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA, 6.39 FIP and 1.74 WHIP in six starts. He has had issues with his command, walking 13 hitters compared to 25 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.
The Dodgers will have to call up a pitcher from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start in Hill’s place this coming week, with Brock Stewart being the primary candidate to get the nod.
