While the Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with an assortment of injuries thus far in the season, their starting rotation has been hit particularly hard. To date, Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu have all either spent time on the 10-day disabled list or currently reside there.
Hill’s stint on the DL came nearly one month ago, when he was sidelined due to inflammation in the middle finger of his throwing hand. Hill expressed some frustration with the Dodgers erring on the side of caution, but he’s yet to rebound from the trouble.
The inflammation was caused by a cracked fingernail, which later became infected and delayed Hill’s expected return. In his second start back, Hill was removed in the sixth inning because of the all-too-familiar blister trouble.
Hill and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts nonetheless maintained the veteran southpaw would be able to take the mound in his next turn, Saturday against the Washington Nationals, which he accomplished.
However, Hill threw all of two pitches in the bottom of the first inning before coming out with an injury. According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Hill left with a blister on his left middle finger:
Hill officially removed from game with a left, middle finger blister, after throwing 2 pitches. Hill not credited with facing a batter but is credited with a game start.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) May 20, 2018
Scott Alexander replaced Hill and struck out the side in the first inning of what’s expected to be a bullpen game for the Dodgers. That Ross Stripling went six quality innings in Game 1 of the doubleheader now became all the more crucial.
Though, Los Angeles also has fresh bullpen arms Erik Goeddel who was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners and added to the Dodgers’ active roster for the nightcap, and Yimi Garcia as the permitted 26th man.
As for Hill, he presumably is bound for another stint on the 10-day DL, which further thrusts the team’s rotation into more of a state of uncertainty.
