The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Rich Hill from the 60-day injured list, bringing their active roster to 34 players. It will increase again on Friday, when Max Muncy is expected to be activated off the 10-day IL.
Hill starts in Thursday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles, marking his first time on the mound since suffering a strained flexor tendon on June 19. The injury cut his outing to just one inning and marked the start of an extended absence.
Hill initially was diagnosed with forearm discomfort, and while a subsequent MRI confirmed the flexor tendon strain, he was officially placed on the IL with a left forearm strain. Although that can often be a precursor to Tommy John surgery, Hill was informed his UCL remained in good shape.
He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 3 as a corresponding move to the Dodgers adding Casey Sadler to their 40-man roster after he was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The paper move had no impact on Hill’s projected timeline. Although he was shut down from throwing for one month, Hill forecasted he would return at some point this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later said that likely wouldn’t be until September.
That long layoff suggested Hill potentially faced a return as a relief pitcher. Roberts went so far as to say that was going to be the case, but Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman then clarified the team believed Hill had enough time to build back up as a starter.
That was supported by Hill progressing with a throwing program without any setbacks. He built up to pitching a two-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium last week and now is poised to make four starts during September.
With that, the expectation is Hill will serve as the Dodgers’ fourth starter come the postseason. In any event, the team has continued to keep the likes of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Ross Stripling and Julio Urias in position to fill in if necessary.
Hill, who began the season on the 10-day injured list because of a left knee sprain, went 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 starts before being sidelined by the forearm injury.
Jaime Schultz was designated for assignment in order to create room for Hill on the 40-man roster.
