Since the moment the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Rich Hill at the non-waiver trade deadline in 2016, he and the team have dealt with his chronic blisters to varying degrees of severity. It was at its worst during Hill’s first season with the Dodgers.
So much so that manager Dave Roberts removed Hill after seven perfect innings because of concerns that the blister would rip open and derail the Dodgers’ postseason run. Hill thought the issues were behind him come the 2017 season and again this year.
But he’s ultimately never fully escaped. This season he first dealt with inflammation as a result of a cracked fingernail, then an infection in the middle finger. Hill was removed from his second start back from the disabled list because of a blister.
He remained on schedule and started against the Washington Nationals the following weekend, but was removed after just two pitches because the blister ripped open. Now HIll is on the DL for a second time this season.
Despite that, Hill has continued to play catch and on Tuesday threw a bullpen session. Roberts explained the throwing is being done with a plan in mind despite it appearing to be counterintuitive to healing a blister, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“What is Rich Hill doing? He’s cooperating with the medical staff to let this thing heal, but he’s keeping his arm in shape, which is very smart, having it covered up,” Roberts said. “The plan is for him to continue to play catch, throw bullpens to keep his arm in shape and after that, I don’t know what else.
“When he’s not using it, it’s not covered up to let it heal. They are using some agents to speed this process up. The 30 pitches he threw today shouldn’t impede the process.”
Hill said he intends to petition the league office to ask that he be permitted to wear some form of tape or protective adhesive on his blister. However, given the longstanding rule book, it’s largely expected to be denied.
Although Hill continuing to throw may be a positive sign, Roberts previously said he anticipates the veteran left-hander will spend at least one month on the disabled list.
