One day later than was initially expected, Rich Hill takes the mound Wednesday night in San Jose for a second rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga. If all goes well, the southpaw may join the Los Angeles Dodgers next week for their series against the San Francisco Giants.
Hill threw a bullpen session at Petco Park, with his troublesome blister passing another test. “He was encouraged. I talked to him, and the player is obviously going to give one side,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend.
“I talked to Rick (Honeycutt, Dodgers pitching coach) and he said, ‘It was good, not great.’ But the number one thing is the finger came out of it great. That’s the most important thing.”
The plan calls for Hill to complete five innings at 75 pitches. He failed to go the targeted four innings and 60 pitches in his first start with the Quakes, throwing 29 pitches in two-thirds of an inning.
The 37-year-old went on to throw an additional 31 pitches on the side. “I encouraged him to get through the five innings and not finish in the bullpen,” Roberts said. The added sense of urgency, not necessarily concern, is a result of Hill potentially being on the verge of coming off the DL.
“[Pitching well] was kind of the message. ‘Worry’ is a little strong,” Roberts said. “But yes, if you’re one start away from making a Major League start, you have to get guys out. I was pretty clear.”
