Dodgers: Rich Hill Returning as Reliever Next Week
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that left-handed pitcher Rich Hill could be rejoining the club some time next week in a relief capacity, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Hill has been on the injured list with a serious flexor injury to his pitching elbow since mid-June.
Rich Hill will face hitters on Friday, two innings, could rejoin the club in relief next week.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 4, 2019
The Dodgers possess a plethora of both starting pitching and relief options, but the addition of Hill in whatever capacity the organization desires for him is obviously a boon.
Hill is in the final season of a 3-year, $48 million pact with the Dodgers that he signed in the winter of 2016. In a Dodger uniform, Hill has been everything the organization had dreamed of, posting a 3.19 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 355 2/3 innings of work.
Before Hill went down with the flexor strain injury, he was enjoying a wonderful 2019 campaign that saw him post a 2.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 53 innings. He made ten total starts.
[adace-ad id=”113300″]The Dodgers are hoping for more of the same from Hill down the stretch and into October. He figures to either be the Dodgers’ fourth starter in the postseason or potentially a long relief option out of the bullpen. Either way, Hill being added to the active roster some time next week is a major boost to the club.
It’s almost Dick Mountain time, baby.
Hill might be needed big time the way Ryu is pitching. He is above his number of pitches of the last several seasons. Walker also might be tired. This is his second season with many more pitches. They should be used sparingly the rest of the season. No more than 5 innings.
What does dick mountain mean?
Sc: It’s Hill’s “players’ weekend” nickname. Rich (Dick) Hill (Mountain). I, personally, like to refer to him as “Filthy Rich.”