Still without Clayton Kershaw as he continues to recover from a lower back strain, the Los Angeles Dodgers endured another injury scare Friday night when Rich Hill was struck on the throat by a fastball from San Diego Padres starter Clayton Richard.
Hill immediately dropped to the ground while holding his throat area, and was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head athletic trainer Nate Lucero. After a few tense minutes the 37-year-old sat up and eventually rose to his feet and jogged down to first base.
Roberts initially believed Hill was struck on the wrist, and described it as a ‘scary moment’ once he realized it caught his pitcher on the throat. Hill was sent to the hospital for X-rays and additional testing as a precaution.
He’s dealing with expected soreness and bruising, but otherwise confirmed to be in good standing, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s sore today but no breathing issues,” said Hill, who is 8-4 with a 3.44 earned-run average. “That’s the biggest thing. There isn’t anything really major going on.”
After being hit, Hill managed to throw two scoreless innings. He collected nine strikeouts and allowed just two runs on five hits over six innings.
“I saw him in the weight room and back at his post start-day routine,” Roberts said Saturday. “He said he feels good and is back to normal.” Roberts added the veteran southpaw is on track to make his next scheduled turn.
Timing could be worse for Hill. Because of off-days Monday and Thursday, his start won’t come until Friday in the series opener against the Detroit Tigers, which marks the start of a seven-game road trip for the Dodgers.
