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The Dodgers rotation this week is beginning to become more clear, or at least as clear as can be with one of the four members dealing with a lat issue after leaving his Sunday start after two batters, and a newcomer who is technically still on the disabled list.
The game notes from the Dodgers on Tuesday shuffled the starting rotation a bit, moving Kenta Maeda from Wednesday to Thursday, with the starter for the middle game of the series listed as "TBD." Though manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Tuesday's game that Brock Stewart will fill that slot, having joined the team in Denver per David Vassegh of Dodger Talk as well as various beat reporters at Coors Field.
Scott Kazmir, originally listed for Thursday, will start on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Stewart made one start for the Dodgers earlier this season, allowing five runs in five innings on June 29 in Milwaukee, striking out seven with two walks. Since heading back to Triple-A, the right-hander pitched six innings in each of his four starts, putting up a 3.00 ERA during that span with 22 strikeouts against only three walks.
He is 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA in seven start with Oklahoma City, with 49 strikeouts and only five walks in 42⅔ innings, and on the season across three minor league levels is 9-3 with a 1.80 ERA in 18 starts, with 121 strikeouts and 17 walks in 110 innings.
Stewart was originally listed to start on Wednesday for Oklahoma City, but that start instead will go to Julio Urias.
Moving Maeda back to Thursday means he will start on five days rest. In nine starts on five days rest in 2016, Maeda is 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA, with 43 strikeouts and 10 walks in 51 innings.
Bud Norris, who left his Sunday start after just 13 pitches, remained in Los Angeles, with his next start in question.
Bud Noris didn't travel to Colorado with #Dodgers. In LA receiving treatment on back. Roberts said Saturday start is a possibility
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 2, 2016
Bud Norris did not make the trip. He has told the Dodgers he still hopes to start on Saturday. The team is building contingency plans.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 2, 2016
The newcomer to the rotation is Rich Hill, who is still on the disabled list with a blister on his left hand. He is technically eligible to be activated as early as Thursday, but it makes more sense he will be activated once the Dodgers are back home this weekend.
Hill threw long toss on Tuesday, and will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.
Rich Hill says his blister is starting to callus and he will throw a bullpen tomorrow. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/mTzUA74Sr1
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 2, 2016
Rich Hill threw long toss this afternoon, planning bullpen session tomorrow. Blister healing "headed in right direction"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 2, 2016
Hill played catch today at 130 feet. Bullpen session tomorrow. That would be the test before a start.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 2, 2016
If everything goes well for Hill after the bullpen session, a Saturday or Sunday start against the Red Sox could happen, though though it might be even longer before he makes his Dodgers debut.
Zaidi said a rehab start for Hill is a possibility before he joins rotation.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 2, 2016
Hill made his return from oblivion last year in September with Boston, putting up a 1.55 ERA in four great starts, with 36 strikeouts and five walks in 29 innings. Despite just 75⅔ major league innings from 2010-2015, Hill was able to parlay those four starts into a $6 million contract with Oakland during the offseason as a free agent.