The Los Angeles Dodgers’ depleted starting rotation is finally starting to get some members back, with Kenta Maeda returning and getting the start Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers. Maeda went five innings in his right.
It looks like the next starter to make their way back will be Rich Hill. He has pitched in a number of simulated games to test out his blister in recent weeks.
With prospects Walker Buehler and Dennis Santana landing on the disabled list in the past week, the Dodgers are in need of starters for an upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Hill could be in line to pitch one of those games, as he is set to make a rehab start on Thursday for High-A Rancho Cucamonga, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Roberts said Hill, who has missed 40 games with chronic blister issues, will start for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night. Roberts said if Hill’s finger holds up for four or five innings, he will rejoin the club and likely start next week in Chicago.
Hill has not pitched since May 19 when he was removed from his start against the Washington Nationals after throwing just two pitches.
Hill was able to continue throwing by using tape to cover his blistered finger while he was out. Considering he has been hampered by so many blister issues in the past, the team will likely proceed with caution.
They can ill-afford for Hill to return only for his blister to immediately become an issue once more.
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