The Los Angeles Dodgers became well-versed in blister management when Rich Hill was part of the team, and now find themselves in familiar territory as Noah Syndergaard attempts to navigate a right index finger issue.
Syndergaard pitched just one inning in his last start before being removed due to what the Dodgers deemed was a “cut.” In his postgame interview, Syndergaard alternated his use of blister and cut when describing the minor injury.
Nevertheless, the right-hander has continued throwing in the days since. Syndergaard first did so at American Family Field on Wednesday, and completed another round of catch Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he is “hopeful” Syndergaard can make his scheduled start Monday, but a test lies ahead.
“Just watching him play catch, he was ripping it. It was covered up, but [Saturday] is going to be a really big day for him in the sense that he’s going to throw a bullpen,” Roberts noted. “If he can get out of that, I don’t see why he wouldn’t make his start on Monday.”
Syndergaard had previously pitched through the blister/cut this season, but had trouble in Milwaukee because it ripped open and the Dodgers weren’t able to keep it sealed to prevent bleeding.
“He wanted to keep going, but every ball that he was throwing was marked with blood. We tried to rectify it, but it was just too late,” Roberts said. “I think today, tomorrow, potentially Monday, we should be fine.”
Who starts if Noah Syndergaard goes on injured list?
If Syndergaard is not able to start Monday, he would likely go on the 15-day injured list and be replaced in the rotation by Gavin Stone.
“I think that’s probably a fair take, given they’re throwing the same days,” Roberts said. “But I think the priority is to have Noah make that start.”
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