Rich Hill’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers will need to wait as he’s no longer the probable starter for Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox. Brandon McCarthy is now slated to start on regular rest.
The 36-year-old southpaw threw a bullpen session at Coors Field on Wednesday without issue. However, Hill threw at Dodger Stadium on Friday, felt new blisters forming in a different area and is considered day-to-day, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
He last pitched July 17 when he was with the Oakland Athletics. The start lasted all of five pitches as he was removed after a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand cut open.
Hill this season is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, 2.53 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. For McCarthy, he’ll look to bounce back from consecutive subpar starts.
After a strong return from Tommy John surgery, he’s thrown a combined seven-plus innings and allowed six runs. McCarthy’s struggles have come after pitching into the seventh inning in St. Louis, which was an outing he said left him fatigued.
In reshuffling their rotation the Dodgers don’t have a starter for Monday’s series opener with the Philadelphia Phillies. McCarthy was initially to start that game on an extra day of rest. Julio Urias may be the solution, though Roberts didn’t commit to anyone.
