Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers set an MLB record by placing 28 different players on the disabled list. They began this season with six players inactive, and their first in-season use was putting Rich Hill on the 10-day DL.
Although Hill was confident he’d put last season’s blister trouble behind him, one began to form on his left middle finger in the fourth inning of his 2017 debut. Even with the DL stint, Hill and the Dodgers voiced optimism the matter is not serious.
While the Dodgers pressed ahead on their six-game road trip, Hill returned to Los Angeles. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the veteran lefty will throw a bullpen session Thursday to determine whether a start on Sunday is plausible, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“As I understand it, his finger feels good,” Roberts said. “He’s been playing catch. He’ll throw a ‘pen on Thursday and at that point in time we’ll know if he’s going to make that start on Sunday.”
Rather than be put on the disabled list, Hill offered to pitch in relief for the time being. The Dodgers didn’t view that a sound course of action.
MLB’s new 10-day disabled list, coupled with an off day Tuesday, lends to Hill potentially missing just one start. He was slated to face Jon Lester in the Chicago Cubs home opener. That instead went to Alex Wood, who performed admirably in spot duty.
Sunday, which is when Hill’s spot in the rotation is next up, is also the first day he’s eligible to be reinstated. The chronic blisters forced Hill to miss five weeks last season.
