After seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has again come unraveled due to injuries. As it stands, Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu are all on the 10-day disabled list.
For Hill, his trouble is the all-too-familiar blister issue. He first experienced finger trouble when a cracked fingernail became inflamed and led to the Dodgers placing the southpaw on the DL.
Hill then developed an infection in the area, which delayed his return. That was short-lived, however, as Hill was removed from his second start back because of a blister heating up.
It was deemed a precaution and Hill made his next scheduled turn. That lasted all of two pitches as the blister on his left middle finger ripped open. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts surmised a second DL stint would last upwards of one month.
It’s now been two weeks, and whenever Hill returns, it won’t be until he first goes out on a rehab assignment to test his blister, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
To avoid the horror of Hill’s last start May 19, when his blister burst after two pitches, the Dodgers will require Hill to throw at least a five-inning outing in the minors. Hill may need an outing before that to build up his arm strength.
“We’ve all got to get assurance that he can sustain,” Roberts said.
Although conventional wisdom might have suggested otherwise, Hill didn’t refrain from throwing since being put on the disabled list. He advanced to throwing a bullpen session followed by a simulated game, doing so with protective tape on his finger.
Hill petitioned MLB to wear the tape in his starts, which predictably was declined. He nonetheless will have an opportunity to address the Rules Committee at this year’s Winter Meetings.
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