The line of Los Angeles Dodgers players joining High-A Rancho Cucamonga this week continued on Thursday, with Rich Hill taking the mound for his first rehab start since being put back on the disabled list.
Hill spent the past two weeks navigating the fine line of playing catch and throwing bullpen sessions in effort to keep shoulder strength, but without re-aggravating the chronic blister on his left middle finger. The southpaw was scheduled to go four innings and 60 pitches for the Quakes.
Hill was lifted with two outs in the first inning and only 29 pitches thrown. Although the outing was abbreviated, the 37-year-old didn’t have issues with his blister, per Ron Cervenka of Think Blue LA
“Shoulder feels great, finger held up well,” Hill told reporters after his abbreviated outing. “Obviously it is disappointing in the fact that it was only two-thirds of an inning, but getting the work in and everything like that was a success from a finger standpoint. We reached our pitch limit and then from there it was just the matter of finishing up in the bullpen and getting everything done out there.”
Hill allowed four runs on three hits, walked one and had two strikeouts in the short start. He reached the targeted pitch count by completing work in the bullpen. There was expected rust, though Hill was generally pleased considering the time that’s passed since he last pitched in a game.
Next for the veteran left-hander is likely another rehab start to ensure the blister can withstand the rigors of pitching in a game. Whether that comes with the Quakes or another affiliate is unclear, and so too is when the Dodgers may elect to activate Hill from the DL.
