The Los Angeles Dodgers planned on a bullpen game in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants but were forced into one a night early as injury forced Rich Hill to leave his start after just one inning.
Hill was efficient as he bookended a 1-2-3 first inning on just 15 pitches (11 strikes). However, he noticeably took a long walk around the mound after throwing a pitch to Donovan Solano.
That prompted David Freese and Justin Turner to check on Hill, who asserted he was fine. The Dodgers worked a long bottom of the first, taking a 3-0 lead on Chris Taylor’s home run.
When Hill returned to the mound, he didn’t appear fluid in his delivery and was promptly removed by a trainer. According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Hill exited due to left forearm discomfort:
Being now told it’s left forearm discomfort, not tightness, for Rich Hill.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 20, 2019
Hill entered the night 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA, 4.21 FIP and 1.14 WHIP in nine starts this season. He had pitched seven innings in two of his past three starts. Wednesday’s outing was not the shortest in Hill’s career, as he threw just two pitches against the Washington Nationals last season.
The bulk of his injury history with the Dodgers centered around chronic blisters on his left hand. Hill additionally began this season on the 10-day injured list because of a strained MCL in his left knee.
The Dodgers are in the midst of 18 games in 18 days, which prompted manager Dave Roberts to tab Julio Urias for a spot start on Thursday.
Dylan Floro took over for Hill and worked two perfect innings on just 21 pitches to give the Dodgers a springboard to work off.
