When Rich Hill was removed from his last start after just two pitches, it was an ominous sign of what presumably lied ahead in the recovery from a blister ripping open. However, Hill continued to throw with plenty of regularity after being placed on the 10-day disabled list.
That will grow to include Hill following Clayton Kershaw in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Hill is expected to throw two or three innings. “Rich is very angsty right now and wants to keep his arm in shape,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
The club is comfortable, or accepting, of Hill continuing to throw because of the protective tape he wears on the blister. “From what I understand there’s two pieces. You have to keep his arm in shape and if you don’t throw at all, then you have to build that back up,” Roberts explained.
“If it’s covered up, which it hasn’t been in games, that’s been the problem. So for him to throw as much as he wants to, but keep it covered up, there’s no downside.”
Where the Dodgers and Hill might not be aligned is on a timetable for his return. “It is healing well but as he does play catch, it’s been covered,” Roberts said.
“You still have to understand that when he goes out there, not covered, expecting him to throw a certain amount of pitches, we’re not out of harm’s way. It’s still going to take some time.”
Roberts initially estimated the veteran left-hander would spend at least one month on the disabled list. “If you have a choice, you want the player to obviously want to be out there and feel he can go out there and help his team win,” Roberts said.
“But there is something, sometimes, you have to intervene and protect the player from himself. Now the question is, how long can he throw without it to heal, to show that he’s ready and sustain health? We’re not to that point. I know us as an organization we’re going to make sure he’s good and well before we activate him.”
Roberts confirmed the Dodgers and Hill reached out to Major League Baseball to seek permission for him to wear the protective tape during a game. Rules currently forbid as much, and Roberts intimated he didn’t expect a favorable decision.
As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The updated Privacy & Cookies Policy will take effect on May 22, 2018. By using our services on or after that date, you’ll be agreeing to our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy. We recommend that you read our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy in full.
