DENVER -- Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill returned to Los Angeles to continue his recovery from a finger blister with a tentative return date of April 16 against Arizona at home.
Hill, placed on the 10-day disabled list effective last Thursday, will need to throw a bullpen session this Thursday with no blister issues to make that start. Hill has been plagued by chronic blisters on the middle finger of his left hand, resulting from snapping his wicked curveball.
"It didn't make sense for him to travel to Chicago," said manager Dave Roberts, whose club opens a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday, with Alex Wood making Hill's start.
Meanwhile, Roberts said Pedro Baez might not rejoin the team until the next homestand that opens Friday.
Baez pitched Friday and Saturday, his first outings on back-to-back days, with no lingering effects of the bruised right thumb he suffered in Spring Training. But Roberts said the last box Baez needs to check off is being able to pitch an inning, sit down, then come back for the next inning.
Roberts said the excessive bullpen usage Sunday and Monday could necessitate Baez being activated for the Chicago series.
"It could be in Chicago, and there's a little bit of talk about activating him when we get back home," Roberts said. "It's dependent upon today and tomorrow, and the state of our 'pen. He wouldn't be activated until Tuesday anyway, so we'll see how it plays out."