The Los Angeles Dodgers slugged four home runs in their 9-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, which helped ease the burden on their bullpen game as they were forced to shoulder eight innings because Rich Hill was removed due to left forearm discomfort.
Hill bookended a perfect first inning with strikeouts, needing just 15 pitches (11 strikes) to set the Giants down in order. However, he appeared bothered and took time to walk off and around the mound on multiple occasions.
David Freese and Justin Turner checked on Hill prior to the veteran left-hander continuing to pitch. But as Hill began to warm up for the second inning, he signaled to the bullpen and was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer.
A quick conversation led to Hill’s exit. Following the Dodgers’ win, manager Dave Roberts spoke with cautious optimism but said Hill will undergo an MRI and be placed on the 10-day injured list, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I think right now, yeah, just forearm discomfort. I appreciate the way he tried to get ahead of it. Obviously with a pitcher, you don’t want to put yourself in harms way. I just talked to Rich right now, and he echoed that it was just some discomfort and he didn’t want to jeopardize himself or the team. Tomorrow morning we’re going to get an MRI and obviously we’ll know more then. … Rich will be an IL situation.”
The outing was not Hill’s shortest with the Dodgers, as he threw just two pitches in an outing against the Washington Nationals last season. He battled chronic blisters after being traded to the Dodgers in 2016.
It took multiple seasons but Hill eventually moved past the persistent trouble. He has been a valuable contributor in the Dodgers starting rotation, and was meeting that standard again this season after returning from a strained MCL in his left knee.
Hill additionally has battled shoulder and elbow trouble during portions of his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011.
Entering Wednesday, Hill was 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA, 4.21 FIP and 1.14 WHIP in nine starts.
