Los Angeles Dodgers starter Rich Hill was in the midst of his best Spring Training since he joined the team, but things quickly went south when he suffered a strained MCL in his left knee and was forced to begin the season on the 10-day injured list.
Hill has since made progress in his recovery from the injury, and Friday afternoon he threw a 46-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium. He also threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen afterward to help build up his pitch count.
After completing the simulated game, Hill said that he came out of it feeling healthy and doesn’t feel more tests are necessary but is understanding of a forthcoming rehab start, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“No, none (boxes to check off). After a day like today, facing hitters, having the confidence to be able sit back on my knee, I can drive towards the plate and have the ball come out of my hand the way I wanted to, I think it’s been nothing but positives. If it were up to me, I’d want to get into a game now. But I understand where we need to make sure I’m 100% healthy and there’s nothing we’re missing.”
Hill is scheduled to make that rehab start in five or six days, although it has not been determined where that will take place. He is expected to throw four innings.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation has already been plagued by injuries to begin the season with Clayton Kershaw also beginning the year on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder issue and Hyun-Jin Ryu since joining him and Hill on the shelf with a groin injury.
It looks like all three could be back healthy in the next few weeks though, which would greatly bolster a pitching staff that has been taxed to begin the season.
