Rich Hill is making steady progress as he inches closer to a return. Hill suffered an MCL sprain against the Baltimore Orioles on September 12th. After positive MRI results, next he will face live hitters on Friday and expects to pitch against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday.
Rich Hill is planning to pitch in an MLB game Tuesday in San Diego. The man will not be stopped.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) September 18, 2019
Rich Hill has been injured for most of this season. He suffered a flexor tendon strain in June and that injury kept him out for close to 3 months. On the season, he’s made only 11 starts and has a 4-1 record with a 2.68 ERA in 53.2 innings pitched.
With his return start from the injured list, he lasted only 2 outs and 27 pitches. The positive from Hill’s outing in Baltimore is that he had 2 strikeouts and gave up no hits. The hope was that he would make 4 September starts and be in line to be the Dodgers game 4 starter in the playoffs.
Now the key is for Hill just to be ready come postseason time. Dave Roberts is ready to get “unconventional” with his playoff starters.
Roberts said Game 4 pitching is “cloudy” and would be “unconventional.”
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 17, 2019
This may be a sign that Doc will run with an opener, even if Hill is healthy and ready to go. The important fact remains that in any capacity or role, Rich Hill makes the LA pitching staff better in October.
