Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Rich Hill Was Determined, Felt Confident In Health To Return At End Of 2019 Season
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Rich Hill Was Determined, Felt Confident In Health To Return At End Of 2019 Season

Matt Borelli
March 4, 2020
4 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill in Game 4 of the 2019 NLDS
Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

An opportunity presented itself when Clayton Kershaw was saddled by shoulder trouble, but a knee strain ultimately prevented Rich Hill from taking the mound on Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season.

Though he managed to make his 2019 debut at the end of April, the left-hander was hampered by injuries for most of the year. Hill suffered a strained flexor tendon in a start against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19, which again sidelined him for the foreseeable future.

While he was informed that his UCL remained in good shape, he wouldn’t return to a Major League mound until the second week of September.

Hill managed to make three shortened shorts that month and earned a spot on the Dodgers’ National League Division Series roster. His lone appearance against the Washington Nationals came in Game 4, though it was another brief outing that saw him struggle with his command.

In 2.2 innings of work, Hill allowed two hits and one run, walking four of the 13 batters he faced. The 39-year-old was tabbed with a no-decision as the Dodgers suffered a 6-1 defeat to the Nationals.

While it proved to be a difficult end to his 2019 campaign, Hill revealed that he was confident in his health and ability to pitch in meaningful games for the Dodgers, via David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports:

“I guess the short of it is, going out and playing long toss, I would have to get to a point where I would wait for my elbow to fill up with fluid and get through this point where the pain was pretty intense. After I was done pitching, a couple times, the next day I didn’t even want to pick up a baseball. Going to throw a baseball was the last thing on my mind because I knew it hurt so bad.

“I wouldn’t have gone out there if I thought I was able to just get through games, but I was able to throw the ball the way I wanted to. That’s why I was continuously going out there. I think it’s just something that we all love what we do and hopefully we all go out there and have that passion for whatever it is we’re doing. That’s what I have for baseball. I’m going to continue to keep doing that until I can’t throw anymore.”

Shortly after the Dodgers were eliminated by the Nationals, Hill underwent surgery to reattach a torn portion of the UCL in his left elbow. The operation will keep him sidelined through at least June of the 2020 season.

While he expressed an interest in returning to the Dodgers as a free agent, he ultimately signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. Hill reunited with Kenta Maeda, whom the Twins ultimately traded for.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersRich Hill
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Playing First Base, Chris Taylor In Center Field For Game 2 Of NLDS Vs. Giants

October 9, 2021
October 9, 2021
Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Mark Prior Surprised Clayton Kershaw’s Velocity Dropped

September 15, 2023
September 16, 2023
FeaturedGame Central

Dodgers Vs. Padres Game Preview: Trying To Bounce Back After First Loss In 8 Games

May 11, 2024
May 11, 2024
Mookie Betts
FeaturedVideo

Freeway Series Highlights: Mookie Betts Carries Dodgers In Extra Innings

September 4, 2024
September 4, 2024

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어