The Los Angeles Dodgers’ big move at the non-waiver trade deadline was to acquire starting pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a trio of pitching prospects.
This season has been rough on the Dodgers’ rotation, as every starter except Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda has spent time on the disabled list. That’s forced Los Angeles to tap into their ballyhooed organizational depth.
With Clayton Kershaw out for an indefinite period, the Dodgers’ move to acquire was meant to bolster their rotation. However, the veteran southpaw remains on the disabled list.
Hill was expected to start Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox, but began to feel remnants of a new blister on his throwing hand.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, Hill is hopeful to debut with the Dodgers on Friday:
After being scratched from Sunday’s start because of a finger blister, Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill said he is targeting a return Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hill this season is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, 2.53 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 90 and walked 28 in 76 innings with the Athletics. He returned to the Majors late last season after being out of the league completely.
In four starts with the Red Sox he was 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA. The 36-year-old is currently joined on the disabled list by fellow starters Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Bud Norris, Brett Anderson and Alex Wood.
If Hill’s blister problems subside and he pitches the way he has in the last calendar year, he gives the Dodgers a viable starter to help shoulder the load while Kershaw remains out, then an option to slot behind the staff’s ace.
