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Rich Hill Suffers Setback in First Start off IL

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Today, Rich Hill made the first of four scheduled starts that are supposed to get him ready to pitch big innings for the Dodgers in the playoffs. Hill had been sidelined for over three months with a left forearm strain.

Hill looked very good to begin the inning, striking out the first two batters he faced, but things quickly changed. Hill proceeded to walk two batters and hit two batters, allowing an earned run without having a ball put in play against him.

Before walking in a run, Hill was visited on the mound by manager Dave Roberts and a trainer. Hill had looked visibly uncomfortable all night. He remained in the game, but after walking in a run, Hill was removed.

Final line: 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 1 ER.

Shortly after being removed, JP Morosi reported that Hill’s left knee, the same one that forced him to miss the first four weeks of the season, had been bothering him and he would undergo tests on it later tonight. Another IL stint for Hill could effectively end his season, and force the Dodgers to search for other options in the playoffs (Julio Urias, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Ross Stripling).

We will keep you updated on Rich Hill and his knee injury.

UPDATE: According to David Vassegh, Rich Hill has strained the same MCL in his left knee that he injured during spring training. Not good news for the Dodgers.

Written by Jake Dicker

DodgersBeat Founder

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