Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers provided a positive Rich Hill injury update in regards to his injured knee. Furthermore – Hill recorded two outs before exiting with a left knee injury in his return from an elbow injury. While the Dodgers’ veteran southpaw has seemed like an ‘Operation’ board game in 2019, there is a positive update.
Indeed, non structural damage has been revealed in Hill’s MRI following his MRI exam.
Dave Roberts said Rich Hill’s MRI revealed “nothing structural.”
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) September 17, 2019
Equally important, Bill Plunkett talked to Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts about Hill’s role on the playoff roster. Now that Hill is by definition ‘healthy’ and can grit it out until he can no longer take the pain, how will he be used?
Roberts says to Plunkett that the Dodgers would consider using an opener or playing match-ups over naming a game four starter; or Hill in this case.
In wake of Rich Hill’s knee injury Dave Roberts has intimated #Dodgers would consider using openers, tandem starters etc. rather than a standard starter in a potential Game 4 situation
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 17, 2019
This is potentially important news. Obviously, the Dodgers will roll out some combination of the big three (Kershaw, Ryu, Buehler) to open a playoff series. Now – in any game four scenario – they’re announcing that they may opt to just go with the hot hand.
Finally, this is not a move we are accustomed to seeing a Dodgers team do in the postseason. Whether or not it provides them with an edge or it detracts from their success remains to be seen. On the other hand, it’s great to have Hill at their disposal in any role. His veteran presence in the dugout, and ability to take the ball when called upon; is a huge weapon in a big spot.
How do you feel about the Dodgers using an opener in a playoff game? Furthermore, how do you see Hill’s role playing out with Los Angeles from here forward? Let us know in the comments section below!
Comments
0 comments