Roberts says Hill could make debut next week
PHILADELPHIA — After two weeks of false starts, the Dodgers are hopeful the wait for Rich Hill’s debut will end next week.
Hill will pitch a simulated game Thursday in Arizona to test the blister on his left middle finger. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the “possibility” that Hill could pitch when the San Francisco Giants come to Dodger Stadium for three games starting Tuesday.
The Dodgers will re-evaluate if Hill can complete his assignment Thursday. The team scheduled the outing for the evening so the conditions are more agreeable for Hill’s hand. He has not faced batters since a five-pitch outing on July 17 with Oakland.
The blister popped that day, and the Athletics placed Hill on the disabled list. The Dodgers traded for him anyway, in a package that also included new right fielder Josh Reddick.
Since joining the Dodgers, Hill has already had his scheduled debut canceled twice.
But when he takes the mound, Hill could be the best pitcher on the roster. He posted a 2.25 earned-run average in 14 starts for Oakland, and struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings. Liberatore back, but not activated
Adam Liberatore, the left-handed reliever who forms part of the bridge to closer Kenley Jansen, met the team in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The team plans to activate him from the disabled list, where he has been nursing elbow inflammation, on Friday.
Pitching on a rehabilitation assignment, Liberatore struck out two batters in a scoreless inning on Tuesday night with triple-A Oklahoma City.