Los Angeles Dodgers: Rich Hill’s Blister Continues to Linger
By Tj Porreca
The Los Angeles Dodgers surrendered quite a bit when they acquired Rich Hill along with Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics. Hill has yet to appear for the Dodgers, and his debut has been delayed once again.
Baseball is a game filled with injuries. Various injuries range in severity from muscle strains to torn ligaments. On that scale, a blister on a hand may not seem too significant. But when that blister is on the left hand of a left-handed pitcher, it can cause quite a problem, as has been proven in the case of Rich Hill.
Hill has dealt with blisters on his left hand for quite some time now, dating back to his time with the Oakland Athletics. At one point, there was even talk that, because of the blister, the A’s would have to hold on to Hill instead of trading him.
That scenario, of course, did not materialize, as Oakland got a nice haul in exchange for sending Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, the blister situation that has plagued Hill has not subsided.
There had been talk that Hill would make his Dodgers debut on Friday, when the Dodgers host the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, on Wednesday manager Dave Roberts announced that Hill will not make Friday’s start, according to MLB.com. Instead, Los Angeles will send rookie right-hander Ross Stripling to the mound.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Roberts insinuated that it could be a week, or perhaps longer, before Hill dons Dodger blue on the hill.
“After Rich threw yesterday, we feel it’s prudent to take more time,” Roberts said, per MLB.com. “We don’t have a date when Rich is going to pitch for us. Rich is doing everything he possibly can, but there’s only so much he can do.”
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for the Dodgers, who acquired Hill with the hope of the lefty becoming their ace for the remainder of the season — especially with Clayton Kershaw out. But Hill’s blister is serious enough that it continues to keep him away from game action. In fact, MLB.com reports Hill currently throws on flat ground, a sign that he hasn’t gotten mound work in some time.
Hill last pitched on July 17 for the Athletics. That outing, which proved to be his last in Oakland, lasted just five pitches. It has nearly been a month since Hill was pulled off the mound in Oakland, but his hand just hasn’t healed the way he or the Dodgers have hoped.
In the games he has pitched, Hill has been as good as advertised for the most part. Hill is 9-3 in 14 starts this year, with a 2.25 ERA. Hill has a WHiP of 1.09, and a FIP of 2.53. Hitters this season are batting just .200 against Hill.
The Dodgers gave up a significant haul to acquire Hill and Reddick. Pitchers Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Jharel Cotton were sent to Oakland in the deal. Both Hill and Reddick are free agents after this season, but there has been speculation that the Dodgers could potentially re-sign both. For now, though, the Dodgers are in the midst of a playoff race. Once Rich Hill is set to return and join the team, the Dodgers will have a significant addition to their staff.