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The Dodgers will probably get a starting pitcher back from the disabled list this weekend, but the club could lose another thanks to yet another injury, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday before the series finale in Colorado.
Rich Hill, acquired from the A's on Monday and dealing with a blister on the middle finger of his left hand, is expected to start on Sunday against the Red Sox.
Rich Hill played catch today, no problem with blister, said he hopes to start Sunday. Nothing confirmed.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 4, 2016
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said expectation is Rich Hill will start Sunday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 4, 2016
Scott Kazmir is scheduled to start on Friday. Saturday was originally slated for Bud Norris, but after leaving his start last Sunday after just two batters, the right-hander has a mid-back strain.
Bud Norris has a back strain. "And it was an actually a good sign for us," Dave Roberts said. This season is so weird.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 4, 2016
Dave Roberts said Bud Norris had MRI on back. Showed a strained back muscle. Sounds like another #Dodgers DL move waiting to happen
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 4, 2016
Mild mid-back strain for Norris. Still on active roster.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 4, 2016
Official diagnosis on MRI for Bud Norris, is mild mid-back strain. No word if this will be a DL stint or not. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 4, 2016
Should Norris have to be placed on the disabled list, that would make 26 different Dodgers players on the DL this season, one shy of the major league record.
That opens the door wide open for Jose De Leon, who is currently scheduled to start on Saturday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. With a Julio Urias throwing three innings in relief on Wednesday, he wouldn't start this weekend. Nor it seems would Brandon McCarthy, who pitched on Tuesday.
McCarthy won't start Saturday. Still TBD. Roberts wouldn't say if De Leon is an option for Saturday start.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 4, 2016
Dave Roberts had nice things to say about Jose De Leon.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 4, 2016
Ross Stripling would be the other other realistic option and is currently on the 40-man roster. De Leon is not, but at this point that might not matter much.
De Leon this season has a 3.83 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 66 strikeouts and 18 walks in 51⅔ innings.