The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Rich Hill to the 60-day injured list as a corresponding move to adding Casey Sadler to their 40-man roster. Sadler was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Wednesday’s paper move doesn’t have much impact on Hill, who is facing a lengthy recovery from a left flexor strain. Though, it does suggest he may not be back on the mound for the Dodgers until late August or early Septemer.
Hill suffered the forearm injury during a June 19 start in which he completed just one inning against the San Francisco Giants. He appeared to be dealing with some issue but nonetheless managed to retire the side in order.
Hill signaled to the dugout while warming up for the second inning and was removed after a brief conversation with a trainer. At the time, the Dodgers announced his early exit was due to forearm discomfort.
An MRI the following morning revealed the flexor injury. Despite it often being a precursor to Tommy John surgery, Hill is confident that won’t be an issue.
“A flexor strain, I think is as positive as it could’ve been and was,” he said last month. “There wasn’t anything indicative of damage to the UCL, which is good. But it’s going to probably take some time to heal.”
He nonetheless added it would be at least three or four weeks before he could begin throwing a baseball. Hill and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts are confident a return this season will manifest.
Hill received a PRP injection in effort to accelerate the healing process. “I think that’s something definitely doesn’t hurt, doesn’t do anything but help,” he said.
Although Hill has endured several injuries throughout his career, a flexor strain is a first. So too was an MCL strain in his left knee that required the 39-year-old to begin the season on the 10-day injured list.
Hill is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA, 4.15 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in 10 starts this season. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $48 million contract signed with the Dodgers in December 2016.
