Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kershaw, Hill, Schedule, Verdugo

The Dodgers did not play on Monday, June 18, due to a rainout at Wrigley Field. Despite the lack of a game, the news took no break on yesterday’s rainy day.

UPDATE: Clayton Kershaw will make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday and will likely rejoin the rotation the following week. This update came out on Tuesday, June 19, the morning after this installment of Quick Hits was written.

The most recent update on Clayton Kershaw’s status is rather unforeseen and shocking. After throwing a 45-pitch simulated game against his teammates, media members found out that Kershaw could make his return from the DL against the Mets in New York. The 30-year old ace finds himself well ahead of schedule and in the event the team chooses to send him on a rehab assignment, his fast pace recovery would still hold true. Kershaw owns a 2.76 ERA this season accompanied by a 138 ERA+. Those statistics were accumulated across 49 innings in which he struck out 53 batters and maintained a WHIP of 1.122 in that span. The next move for Kershaw is still unclear but the team appears to be juggling just two options: a rehab appearance with Triple-A OKC or a major league start against the Mets who have struggled recently.

Other news…

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• Rich Hill will make his first start in exactly one month this afternoon and it could be a very crucial start in Hill’s status for the remainder of the season. Hill has been unimpressive in 2018. Between his stints on the disabled list with his chronic blister and his thoroughly underwhelming statistics, the 38-year old southpaw has left much to be desired. In 24.2 innings, Hill has a 6.20 ERA, a 1.743 WHIP, and a hits per nine innings rate of 10.2. To add insult to injury, Hill’s ERA+ sits at just 62. So, in his start against the Cubs, the struggling lefty will need to show some promise in his return or a move to the bullpen could be a consideration once the rotation regulars return from their injuries. With Ross Stripling pitching like an ace, Hill could have little room for error once the roster gets flooded with the team’s talented arms.

• The Dodgers will play two games today after last night’s rain-out. The first game will be at 10:05 AM Pacific time and Kenta Maeda will start that game for Los Angeles. At 5:05, Rich Hill will take the mound in the second game of the day. The Dodgers will also add a 26th man to the roster due to the MLB doubleheader rules.

Next: Dodgers: Caleb Ferguson Showed Signs of Growth in Sunday's Loss

• The Dodgers’ number one prospect, Alex Verdugo, is doing his best to force the team’s hand in calling him back up to the major leagues. The 21-year old outfielder is in video game mode right now, having hit safely in 24 of his last 25 games. Verdugo’s last seven base-hits have gone for extra bases with five doubles and two home runs. If the Dodgers need an extra bat, Verdugo is certainly the best and hottest option but there is also something to be said for leaving him in the minor leagues with nowhere to give him consistent at-bats in the big leagues. Regardless of where he is playing, keep an eye of Verdugo as his bat is fully awake and doing damage.