When Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was shutdown during spring training for left shoulder discomfort, thereby preventing him from making what would have been his record ninth consecutive Opening Day start for the Dodgers, every indication was that it would be fellow left-hander Rich Hill who would replace him on that ceremonious day. After all, the 39-year-old Boston, Massachusetts native and 14-year MLB veteran was further along innings-wise than any other Dodgers starter at the time.

But then disaster struck. Hill himself was shut down after straining the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee during a spring training start on March 17, thus also taking him out from making the season-opening start, which eventually went to 32-year-old left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu.

After a series of bullpen sessions and a simulated game this past week, Hill will finally make his first start of the 2019 season. It will, however, be a rehab start with the team’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who are currently in the middle of a three-game road trip with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore; not in the lake itself, but the resort-like community 75 miles north of San Diego.

“I think we’re just going to go start-to-start,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday. “So once we get through that, then we can assess. So obviously, the second [rehab] start is on the table, but there’s room to talk. It’s just contingent on how it goes.”

As for Hill himself, who has been pitching with a brace on his left knee for additional support, he is a bit more optimistic that he will require only this one rehab start before being activated from the Injured List and returning to the Dodgers starting rotation. When asked if there were any additional boxes to be checked off after making a rehab start, he was quite specific.

“No, none,” he answered, after his simulated game on Friday.” After a day like today, facing hitters, having the confidence to be able sit back on my knee, I can drive towards the plate and have the ball come out of my hand the way I wanted to, I think it’s been nothing but positives. If it were up to me, I’d want to get into a game now. But I understand where we need to make sure I’m 100 percent healthy and there’s nothing we’re missing.”

Dodger fans interested in watching Hill’s first – and likely only – minor league rehab start, which is scheduled to be in the four-inning / 60-pitch range, and are willing to make the (roughly) hour-and-a-half drive down the I-15 can purchase tickets on-line via the Lake Elsinore Storm website.

Go Dodgers! Go Quakes! Go Rich Hill!

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