The Los Angeles Dodgers are in need of a starting pitcher with Clayton Kershaw on the DL with a disk herniation. According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, the Dodgers “like” Oakland Athletics left-hander Rich Hill and “could go for him” before the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 1.
Hill, 36, is fresh off the DL with a groin strain. He is 8-3 with a 2.31 ERA and a 10.2 K/9 ratio.
The Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Pirates and Royals were among the teams with scouts in attendance to watch Hill pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. In his first start since May 29, Hill threw six innings and allowed two runs off four hits while striking out six batters.
Hill is on a one-year deal with Oakland and is a strong candidate to be traded before the deadline.
The Dodgers have had five injuries to starting pitchers this year, and losing Kershaw is a huge blow. Hill makes a lot of sense for them. We’ll see if the Dodgers go after him.
