The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have a number of key players who are out with injuries, and while some are nearing a return, that does not apply to Rich Hill.
David Freese is expected to be activated this weekend without requiring a rehab assignment, and Corey Seager may not be far behind him. A.J. Pollock, who has been sidelined the longest, might start his rehab assignment this week.
Then there is Hill, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday in a corresponding move to the Dodgers acquiring Casey Sadler in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The paper move now means Hill can’t be activated until Aug. 19. He has inactive since June 19 because of a flexor strain in his left forearm.
Hill is still a ways from getting back on a mound, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on he doesn’t envision the veteran returning before September, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Dodgers management doesn’t expect injured pitcher Rich Hill to return until rosters expand Sept. 1, manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Wednesday. “It’s hard to imagine.”
Considering the Dodgers built up such a large division lead, they can afford to take things slow in the 39-year-old’s rehab to ensure that he doesn’t re-injure the forearm or suffer a much worse elbow injury.
Hill was in the midst of a strong season before going down with the injury. In 10 starts, he went 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 61 strikeouts and 12 walks in 53 innings pitched.
By the time Hill resumes a throwing program and progresses to the point where he can get back on a mound, it will essentially be like Spring Training all over again as he will need to build up his pitch count.
Because of that, he will likely require at least three or for rehab starts before returning to the Dodgers. Hill began the season on the 10-day IL because of a strained MCL in his left knee.
With the southpaw guaranteed to miss at least seven more weeks because of his latest injury, it may send the Dodgers into the market for a starting pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline. For now, the plan remains to have Hill starting upon returning.
