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Dodgers News: After Only One Start Rich Hill is Heading Home – To the DL

By Jamaal Artis

Apr 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The latest Dodgers news may make fellow Dodgers fans sick to their stomachs.

Faster than you can say, “not again,” It’s being reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Rich Hill on the disabled list.  The ailment that’s landed Hill on the DL seems to be a blister on the pitchers left-hand middle finger.

If your wondering it’s a blister on the same middle finger that put Hill on the DL last year from July 20-August 24.

Rich Hill was re-signed as a free agent this past winter after some successful starts with the team including a 1-0 gem against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series.

Hill pitched well I. His first start this year going 5 innings allowing just 2 hits while giving up 1 run.  Hill made 75 pitches before being taken out, there was speculation as to why Hill was taken out so early despite pitching well.  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that it was part of the plan, and not because Hill was hit on the wrist by a pitch while batting.

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For Dodgers fans, it has to feel like deja vu to last year when the Dodgers placed a record 28 players on the DL, a major league record.  Of course, thanks to both starting pitching depth and a stout bullpen the Dodgers did weather the DL storm that plagued them last year.

The Dodgers made a corresponding move bringing up reliever Josh Fields from Triple A. The move may just be temporary as Hill is just retroactively on the 10 day DL.  Likely if the blister quickly heals or the Dodgers can protect it during a start Hill would lose just 1 start.

In terms of who can start in Hill’s place, young Dodgers prospect Julio Urias might get an early call-up after having an extended spring training with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Or the Dodgers can move Alex Wood out of his bullpen role, Wood lost out on a starting spot at the end of spring training but was expected to pitch out of the bullpen.  The Dodgers have until this Monday when Hill was expected to make his next start.  Hill won’t be eligible to come off the DL until next Sunday.

Next: Dodgers Takeaways from Opening Series

It’s early in the season and perhaps the Dodgers are being overly cautious, hopefully, this will only be a one-time ordeal or else the Dodgers could be in trouble for the rest of the season.

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