Dodgers News: Rich Hill Throws Bullpen, Moves Closer to Game Action

Dodgers’ left-hander Rich Hill was back on the mound, Saturday, April 6, as he inches closer to a return to the major league rotation.

Hill has been sidelined with an MCL strain he suffered on March 17 in a Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session and used his fastball and curveball at max effort, according to Alanna Rizzo.

Rich Hill full effort 20-pitch bullpen. FB & curveball. He’ll throw another pen in St. Louis. Roberts said he felt knee issue but no pain.

— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 6, 2019

After, he described it as “uneventful” and without pain, although he still felt something in his knee, according to Manager Dave Roberts.

“Felt it a little bit going down the slope but it didn’t limit him,” Roberts said. “There’s a difference between feeling it and pain. There was no pain.”

Hill’s next bullpen session will come on Monday in St. Louis. He is expected to throw 30 pitches, according to Bill Plunkett.

Rich Hill said his left knee felt fine during and after his bullpen session and he expects to throw another on Monday in St. Louis.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 6, 2019

Look for him to follow with a minor league rehab start soon. If all goes well there, he could re-join the Dodgers’ rotation after that. Look for Julio Urias or Ross Stripling to be moved into the bullpen to make room for Hill.