The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back Clayton Kershaw on Monday and hope to soon reinstate fellow left-handers Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu from the 10-day injured list as well. Like Kershaw, Hill began the 2019 season on the IL.
Hill arguably was on track to fill in for Kershaw on Opening Day but suffered a strained MCL in his left knee in what wound up being his final start of Spring Training. Discomfort persisted in a bullpen session two days later, which prompted an MRI that revealed the injury.
Hill nonetheless continued throwing from flat ground before building up to a bullpen session and subsequent simulated game. That paved the way for the veteran to begin a rehab assignment.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that would come Wednesday, though he wasn’t certain for which affiliate. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Hill revealed his rehab start will come for High-A Rancho Cucamonga:
Rich Hill will pitch Wednesday night for Rancho Cucamonga at Lake Elsinore.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 15, 2019
The Dodgers had been deciding between having Hill join the Quakes or Triple-A Oklahoma City. The decision to have him start for Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday is somewhat curious, as they’re on the road.
Hill last pitched for the Quakes in June 2018 as he was working to return from a chronic blister issue. It’s unclear if this year’s rehab assignment will also consist of just one outing.
That certainly would be Hill’s preference, as he’s confident in the health of his knee and previously made it clear that a direct return to the Dodgers rotation was desired. Though, Hill also voiced an understanding with erring on the side of caution.
His looming return presumably will bump Ross Stripling out of the rotation and back into the bullpen, which was the Dodgers’ initial plan to begin the season.
