Dodgers put Rich Hill on disabled list with blister

LOS ANGELES -- After one start of the new season, Los Angeles Dodgers left-handerRich Hill was put on the disabled list with the same issue, a blister, that plagued him last year.

The team's No. 3 starter has a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, necessitating a trip to the new 10-day DL. Hill missed 5 weeks last season with multiple blister issues on the fingers of his left hand.

"I think it is more of a precautionary thing with the flaring up of the finger a little bit. I just don't want it to go south quick. That's the best I can answer it," Hill said.

"It's very frustrating but something that you just continue to keep working, that's it. That's all I can do."

The Dodgers, in fact, acquired Hill last season from the Oakland Athletics while he was on the disabled list because of a blister.

The Dodgers characterize the issue as not being serious, and Hill even offered to move to the bullpen at least through his next start and to let somebody else take his starting role for a turn. The Dodgers decided the DL route was in their best interest.

"Throughout spring training, his start in Anaheim [before Opening Day], there was nothing," manager Dave Roberts said. "And so I don't know if it was a little deviation in his pregame [routine]. The pitch count has been there, so it's not a pitch-count thing. So we really don't know, but we're trying to dig into the cause."

Hill was next scheduled to pitch Monday at Chicago, which is the defending champion Cubs' home opener. Roberts did not name a starter for that game, but it is likely to be either Alex Wood or Ross Stripling, both of whom are on the roster as relievers. Julio Urias, currently in the minor leagues, is not an option for Monday, Roberts said.

To take Hill's spot on the roster, the Dodgers recalled right-handed reliever Josh Fields.