Dodgers News: Ross Stripling, Not Rich Hill To Start Sunday In Mexico
All along, one of the most interesting Dodgers storylines this weekend was that Sunday would mark the return of Rich Hill from the disabled list. That was the plan. After the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the Padres on Saturday night, the plan was scrapped. Ross Stripling will start the series finale – and try to earn a series victory in the break even contest.
The organization apparently doesn’t want to expose Hill’s fingernail to the humidity in Mexico, according to David Vassegh.
#Dodgers will go with Ross Stripling tomorrow instead of Rich Hill. Humid weather was a concern.
— . (@THEREAL_DV) May 6, 2018
If you’re feeling disappointed, you’re not the only one. Hill told Pedro Moura he was unhappy with the team’s decision to scratch his start.
Rich Hill is unhappy with the Dodgers’ decision to scratch him. “I’m good to go,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing going on. They just decided to go with Strip.”
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) May 6, 2018
Hill has been on the disabled list since since April 10th with a cracked fingernail. He currently has a record of 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in 15 innings this season.
The Dodgers have an off-day on Monday before returning home to host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Clayton Kershaw is listed as the starting pitcher for that game, and that doesn’t figure to change to make way for Hill. It is likely we see him at some point during that series.
Analysis
Of the three games this weekend, Sunday was the one I anticipated most. I consider Hill a really important player in getting this season back on track – and hoped to see him log five or six quality innings against the Padres. Instead, he’s likely to face a tougher opponent in Arizona in his first start back from a long layoff. We’ve all seen what Hill can do when he’s going well. He’s statistically been one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game when healthy alongside Kershaw. The Dodgers need to find a way to keep his hands healthy as they continue to get one key member back at a time.
Julio Urias Soon To Be Cleared To Throw Off Mound
Amazing how Walker Buehler in 3 starts has more wins than Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood combined. A classic case of from the penthouse to the outhouse. Meanwhile the two geniuses in the front office continue to pick up everyone else’s garbage from the waiver wire.
And if we add in Rich Hill’s one win, Buehler is tied with all three.
“Clayton Kershaw is listed as the starting pitcher for that game, and that doesn’t figure to change to make way for Hill.”
It figures to change with Kersh on the DL.
That news broke this morning. This post was drafted last evening.