Dodgers News: Rich Hill’s First Start Delayed Again

The Los Angeles Dodgers, for the first time since May 15th, are once again tops in the NL west. With a victory Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, they clawed all the way back from at one point being eight games back and are now in a tie with the San Francisco Giants.

However, as impressive as that may be, the team is dealing with rampant injuries throughout the roster and there was more news on that front reported Wednesday. Starter Rich Hill, formerly of the Oakland Athletics whom the Dodgers acquired along with Josh Reddick at the trade deadline, was scheduled to make his Dodgers debut on Friday. But, it was announced that we will all have to wait a little bit longer for his first start in Los Angeles as Ross Stripling will take the mound instead.

Stripling starts Friday.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 10, 2016

Ross Stripling will start Friday. Rich Hill still isn't ready. "We don't have a date for when Rich will pitch for us," Dave Roberts said.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 10, 2016

This will obviously come as a disappointment as the haul that the Dodgers gave up for Hill and Reddick was quite large and in return Hill was supposed to come in and shore up the decimated rotation. Yet, almost two weeks after the fact, we have yet to see Hill take the field in Dodger Blue and it’s still unclear when that day will come.

A small silver lining for the Dodgers is that Ross Stripling has been solid when called upon this season and that will hopefully continue Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has posted a 3-3 record to go along with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

For the Dodgers going forward, it appears that fans will get another glimpse of Julio Urias as he is a candidate to pitch on Saturday. For Sunday however, some may be surprised to see who may be taking the mound.

Sunday starter also undecided. Urias a strong option for Saturday, Anderson lined up for Sunday.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 10, 2016

It finally looks like Brett Anderson, who has been injured all year, is set to make his season debut. Last season was the first time since his rookie year in 2009 that Anderson stayed largely healthy and he was a consistent, solid performer for the Dodgers all year. He was 10-9 in 31 starts with a 3.69 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 116 strikeouts.

Anderson will more than likely be eased back into the swing of things but his return definitely helps a starting rotation that hasn’t been fully healthy for one single day all season. With Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, Kenta Maeda and Scott Kazmir all healthy, four out of the five pieces of the planned rotation are back and now we’re all just waiting for the (hopeful) return of #22.

The Dodgers wrap up their three game series with the Phillies on Wednesday as they go for the sweep before welcoming the Pirates into town for a three game series of their own. First pitch Wednesday is set for 12:10 PM PST with Kazmir on the mound going against Jeremy Hellickson.