Can former Dodger help rotation after Padres' latest waiver move?

The Los Angeles Dodgers might not be able to get pitching help for the playoffs, but how about some support for the remainder of the regular season? The San Diego Padres might've inadvertantly provided LA with a life raft.

On Tuesday, the Pads reportedly placed Rich Hill on waivers and few teams have the need for him this late in the year. But with all the rotation problems LA has at the moment, Hill, a former Dodger, would be of great assistance if he can simply eat innings and preserve the bullpen until October arrives.

Hill signed a one-year, $8 million contract in the offseason with the Pirates. He was then traded to San Diego at the deadline. He's owed around ~$1 million the rest of the way, but it'd be worth every penny if it could save the Dodgers from more futile outings from Gavin Stone or bullpen games that further put the team's group of relievers in a perilous position as the year drags on.

Though Hill has gotten rocked ever since arriving in San Diego, the Dodgers could provide a setting of familiarity and stability. The Padres are stuck in a chaotic cycle right now and can't do much right, while LA is navigating season-altering losses as they lead the NL West by an enormous margin.

In the left-hander's previous 119 innings (22 starts) with Pittsburgh, he was good for a 4.76 ERA and 1.48 WHIP while averaging almost 5.2 innings per outing.

Can former Dodger help rotation after Padres' latest waiver move?

If the Dodgers were to claim Hill, he wouldn't be eligible for the postseason roster. MLB rules state players must be on the 40-man roster by Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET in order to be granted playoff eligibility.

Nonetheless, there's great value in the Dodgers patching up their rotation in any way that could be beneficial at this juncture of the season. Though Ryan Pepiot appears to be a potential saving grace, Clayton Kershaw is pitching compromised (or is least off kilter for the time being), Emmet Sheehan and Stone can't be relied upon to put forth anything close to a quality outing, Lance Lynn has to work his way back after three straight concerning starts, and Ryan Yarbrough's shift to the rotation probably won't do much to improve the status quo.

Even if Hill is brought in to piggyback some of these guys, that would serve a major purpose for Dave Roberts as he preps his team for the NLDS.

And those Dodgers roots run deep! Don't forget, we wanted a Hill acquisition at the deadline and were deflated when he went to the Padres.

An additional veteran presence for the stretch run would help the Dodgers while Hill could be reinvigorated to play in meaningful baseball games again.