TODAY: Hill’s recovery timeline is roughly 2-4 weeks, according to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham (Twitter link). An MRI did reveal “some tearing” in Hill’s ligament.
JULY 2: The Red Sox have placed Rich Hill on the 15-day injured list, as the left-hander is battling a left knee sprain. Right-hander Phillips Valdez was called up from Triple-A to take Hill’s spot on the active roster.
Hill suffered the injury in the fifth inning of yesterday’s start against the Cubs, as he tried to tough it out through two more batters but eventually left the game. Hill told reporters (including WEEI’s Rob Bradford) that he was waiting for the results of an MRI, but he compared the injury to the MCL problem that sidelined him for a month during the 2019 season.
The 42-year-old Hill has continued to post solid results in his 18th Major League season, with a 4.20 ERA/4.35 SIERA over 70 2/3 innings. While his Statcast numbers and advanced metrics (including a 19.5% strikeout rate) aren’t anything to write home about, Hill has still been a reliable presence within a Boston rotation that has been lacking in stability.
At the moment, that rotation is down to just three pitchers, as the Sox have been hit by injuries. Hill joins Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Sale (who has yet to pitch in 2022) and Garrett Whitlock on the IL, leaving Michael Wacha, Nick Pivetta, and Josh Winckowski as the only pitchers remaining in the starting five. Connor Seabold is at Triple-A and figures to be recalled to make at least one spot start.
Among the injured names, Eovaldi threw a 35-pitch bullpen session today, though it isn’t yet known if the righty may need a rehab start. Eovaldi has been on the IL since June 9 due to lower back inflammation. Sale has another rehab outing slated for Wednesday, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora told MLB.com’s Ian Browne that Sale could potentially in line to make his 2022 season debut on July 11 when the Sox play the Rays.
As for Whitlock, he has been out since June 10 due to hip inflammation. The righty has a bullpen session today and will have to make a rehab outing, but when he does return, Cora told Bradford and company that Whitlock will “pretty much likely” return to his old bullpen role, rather than as a starting pitcher. Whitlock had a 4.15 ERA over 39 innings and nine starts this season, but with a theoretical surplus of starters when everyone is healthy, the Red Sox figure Whitlock can best help the team as a multi-inning reliever — Whitlock dominated batters in such a role in 2021.
Knew this was coming after he made that tumble play and then came down awkward after a pitch in yesterday’s game
Knew this was coming after Bloom signed a pitcher just 3 months before said pitcher’s 42nd birthday.
Age aside, he also has a history of being injury-prone. I’m surprised he’s lasted this long without one.
Hill was tied for #22 in starts last year. I don’t think he missed a start other than when he was traded.
That said, I’m sure the RS took that into consideration. Guys like this should be more valuable. Any time you are starting the season with someone on the IL (in this case, Paxton), you can spend $5M on roughly #3 SP output, until he collapses.
30 years old, 11 Walks in 12 innings, 1.579 WHIP at Worcester. There are much better pitchers down there. We’re in July, time to let some of these younger guys on the 40-man, and big league roster.
He’s on the 40, and will be sent down as soon as Seabold (?) gets promoted to take Hill’s start. Unless there is a blowout, he probably won’t throw a pitch.
Joe – Doesn’t that beg the question, why bother promoting another pitcher then? Why not bring up a bat or guy with a good glove or good speed that could conceivably help the team … ya know, actually win a game?
After going 1-4 the team could certainly use a spark.
Why not bring up a bat or guy with a good glove or good speed that could conceivably help the team …
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Your 3 choices would be Downs, Wong, or Hernandez. I’m not sure if the rules for promoting and demoting prospects would prevent Downs from coming back up this soon. But even if you could, would you want to lose one of your three options for a one-day promotion?
IRT Wong & Hernandez, I would assume Valdez would have a better chance of helping us, if only to throw 3 innings in a blowout.
Joe: If you get rid of a guy like Valdez, My point is there’s enough room on the 40, . Give Bazardo, Feliz, Ort, Bracho, or Kelly a spot. Some of those names have to be added to the 40-Man come December, anyways.
We have plenty of reliever depth in Worcester and its July. I just don’t see the reason to hold onto a guy like Valdez. Time to stop hoarding pitchers and pick the ones that are going to win games for you.
I’d be really surprised if the Red Sox add any of the pitchers you’ve named to the 40-man roster this offseason
I’ll take that bet. Bazardo was on it last year. And, I fully expect them to protect one or two from this years cast, especially considering they’ll end up dumping a few relievers already on this years 40-Man. They’ll need some young relievers for next year.
Muddy – Bracho was DFAed and is no longer with the Red Sox. Joe was correct that Valdez was only actives for the day (as I also knew that he would be optioned today) as Seabold was activated for the start today.
Ort and Zack Kelly might get a look this season in Boston, but there are doulble the normal number of Rule 5 players this year, so if Ort and Kelly do not see the MLB this season they will not be on the 40- man come November.
Joe: Seabold was called up to start today and Valdez optioned back to AAA.
Which is why Valdez was the guy promoted.
Valdez they couldn’t call up anyone better than him
I’m hoping it’s a 1 or 2 day call-up.
We prefer to call him Exxon Valdez, for those of us old enough to understand the reference.
Valdez is the only AAA reliever on the 40 man. They probably want to keep Kutter Crawford stretched out to start. I doubt they will bring up Bello at this point. So, to bring up someone else they would need to DFA someone off the 40 man. Chris Sale and Josh Taylor will be back soon and both will require someone to be DFA’d off the 40 man. Hopefully one DFA is Robles. Who are the other two DFAs if they are to bring up someone other than Valdez? I guess they could DFA Valdez and Danish in addition to Robles. Who would they bring up now – Bazardo? Kelly? Ort? Are they really better than Valdez?
Maybe Darwinzon Hernandez or Matt Barnes could go to the 60 day IL instead of DFAing someone.
Bloom will move Barnes to the 60-day DL for one 40-man spot, but Darwinzon has not been on the 26-man roster the entire year. I do not believe he can be moved to the 60-day DL from the AAA roster.
“Who would they bring up now – Bazardo? Kelly? Ort? Are they really better than Valdez?”
Statistically everyone of those pitchers is better than Valdez, in just about every way. Valdez has 11 walks in 12 innings at Worcester. They are also younger than the 30 year old Valdez. You waive Valdez, there’s a good chance he doesn’t even get claimed, he’s that bad.
Time to stop hoarding and start finding out if the young guns can handle the show. December is only 6 months away and you have to add some of these names to the 40-Man then, anyways. Wouldn’t it make sense to have them some MLB experience, before then.
Seems like Darwinzon would be the natural selection for the 60 day IL.
IL stints have helped players survive and compete throughout history.
Darwinzon would need to be on the MLB 26-man roster to get a 60-day DL. He has not spent a single day on the MLB Red Sox roster in 2022, thus he can not go on the 60-day DL. Barnes can and I am sure he will get moved to the 60-day when the next spot is needed.
Sale has thrown three rehab starts and imo will be activated in the next 7-10 days if not sooner.
Considering Hill’s age and IL history, it’s a minor miracle that he’s even gotten through hIs first 15 starts. Anything additional would be a bonus.
Give the man some credit. I’ve got nothing but respect for Hill from his time in LA, and he continues to earn it as far as I’m concerned.
All done! Canceled my mlb subscription tonite. Can’t take any more of this insanity. And I’m not coming back til Bloom is gone.
Good riddance!
ROTFLMAO! Canceling your subscription is not going to help your insanity. On the bright side, Bloom will be around for a long time, so you have plenty of time to work on it.
That said, I find watching the RS in the playoffs to be very soothing.
ALCS last year, playoffs this year, terrible GM. Protest by not posting at MLBTR too, that’ll teach him.
Chicken – I’m surprised you, of all people, have never heard the term “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”.
The Red Sox aren’t guaranteed to make the playoffs.
And Bloom isn’t terrible, but he’s not great either.
Last year’s success was primarily due to 5 All-Star players he inherited, 4 of which will likely not be on the team next year. You do realize it takes a few years for a GM to have a major impact on a team, good or bad.
Bloom’s one big free agent signing, Story, has the following numbers since June 5th:
.198 BA
.237 OBP
.319 SLG
.556 OPS
3 Unintentional Walks
33 Strikeouts in 91 AB’s
And that’s with a very weak strength of schedule.
Personally I’d rather get rid of Cora before firing Bloom, but either way it’s foolish to assume the Red Sox will make the playoffs this season or have a playoff contender next year. Because right now we don’t have a lot of faith that Bloom will be able to replace JD/Xander/Eovaldi with equally good players. Barnes may be gone after this season, and the Red Sox are allowing Houck to be demonized over his refusal to get the vaccine.
Lots of cherry picking there for stats. So, youre only looking at Story why? And you only care about Story’s stats from June 5th til now why? Only want to credit “5 all stars” for 2021. So, Kiki, Verdugo, Renfroe, Whitlock, Sawamura, Taylor get zero credit? You mustve missed the playoffs last year = Spoiler Kiki dominated.
Story has 1.8 WAR at Baseball Ref for the whole season. That includes more stats such as Defensive and Baserunning. Also, can’t we look at Wacha (6-1, 2.69 ERA). You don’t seem to ever have much to say about that acquistion.
I never said the Red Sox were “guaranteed” a playoff spot. But, they are in the playoffs, as of right now, until that changes it’s a valid statement. Wasn’t Toronto suppose to run away with the AL East this year? Baseball is played on the field, and teams surprise all the time, like last year’s Red Sox.
Let the team’s wins and loses decide how good they are, and not call a GM’s moves “insanity”, until he actually fails.
Chicken – I’m looking only at Story because Bloom considered him to be a good replacement for Xander, and because Bloom never gave out more than a $14M contract until he gave Story literally 10 times that amount.
So in other words, if the Story contract is an example of how Bloom intends to replace star players with cheaper alternatives, then God help us all.
No I’m not looking at only Story’s past month, I’m also looking at his season numbers such as .298 OBP and .709 OPS. Do you honestly think those numbers are worth anywhere near the contract he got? I’m sure he’ll have one or two more insanely hot streaks, but I will judge his season when it ends.
No need to point out Bloom’s accomplishments, I’ve talked about them plenty. Pivetta deal was probably his best, Wacha has been great so far, Paxton deal could turn out great, Whitlock was a good move but sometimes too much credit given considering the Sox were in such a good draft position because of their abysmal 2020 season.
You absolutely did write “playoffs this year”. Hey I hope you’re right, I just don’t agree with taking such a confident stance. I do believe in karma etc.
When guys change leagues, you need two full seasons to assess. Some do unusually good and some do unusually bad but both tend to renormalize over time. There are nuggets of success in Story’s performance so far which hint at greater potential down the road. He’s not Xander, for sure, but an excellent complement in a solid lineup. Now, some of their other pieces are slowly starting to shape up. That puts less pressure on everybody.
Bloom’s one big free agent signing, Story, has the following numbers since June 5th:
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Pretty silly analysis, I can do that with the majority of the players in the league.
Betts .077 avg since June 4th, with 1 HR
MVP candidate Jose Ramirez .637 OPS since 6/17
JDM .370 OPS since 6/17
Every player in the league goes into splumps.
it’s foolish to assume the Red Sox will make the playoffs this season
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Of course, 100% of the people in this world knows there is no such thing as a guaranteed future event.
But why not assume we are making the playoffs?
Ignore Fever he is a troll who gets his ideas about Bloom & Cora from KD17
That last post felt like it was written on behalf of KD, who is too embarrassed to show up anymore.
I absolutely did write “playoffs this year” — Youre right. And you absolutely wrote that I “guaranteed” it. If a lock down happened today, and the season restarted on October 3rd, the Red Sox would be in the playoffs. That in no way “guarantees” that under every scenario they will make the playoffs. Your point?
On a side note: A common debating technique is to take the opponent’s comment and polarize it, to sound extreme, so that its easier to attack and tougher to defend. Except, this is used by the side that is already losing a debate. If you had a strong argument, you wouldn’t need to resort to these tactics.
hayzee – I agree some players need time to adjust. Problem is, Story already steadily declined each of his final two years in Colorado. Sure other guys in the lineup have covered up for Story’s inadequacies, but when JD & Xander leave after this season (and Devers possibly too) it will be up to Story to pick up much of the slack. Can he reverse the years-long slide? Can he learn plate discipline at his advanced age and actually take a walk once in a while? Can he reduce his ridiculous amount of strikeouts? Time will tell.
Joe – I hafta admit, I don’t know what a splump is but I like the sound of it. LOL!
Mookie played in only 9 games during that time period and was playing hurt, did you really think I didn’t know that?
The other two players you have a range that’s approximately half the games of Story’s..
Try finding a real comp, 24 games with an OPS as bad or worse than .556
Chicken – Please don’t try to mudy the waters by attempting to say “playoffs this year” was not a guarantee. It most certainly was.
If you had said “Maybe the playoffs this year” or “Probably the playoffs this year” or “Most likely the playoffs this year” or “I think playoffs this year’ then that would be fine.
Joe – At my age I’ve seen enough supposed “sure things” to know there’s no such thing as a “sure thing”.
I don’t like when fans of other teams make assumptions, so I would be hypocritical if i was cool with Red Sox fans doing it.
I said “ALCS last year, playoffs this year”. The sentence is incomplete as written, because I didn’t think anyone would look at it with a microscope. Technically, it needs more words to make sense.
I said it meaning —“heading toward” playoffs this year— And you say I can’t add those words for clarity. But, you keep adding your own word — “guarantee” playoffs this year— Seriously, Are you 12 years old?
I didn’t think anyone would look at it with a microscope.
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I think most people understand that, when you are talking about a future event, you are not guaranteeing anything.
The way I often phrase things is “I would be willing to wager on it”. That implies that I expect such an event to occur. And if the other party doesn’t take me up on that offer, it probably means he suspects that I am right.
Note-It doesn’t have to be a money wager. Anything counts. As Warren Buffet would say, the difference a commitment, and a conversation, is a check.
Bloom is also responsible for this year’s best starter, Pivetta, being on the team. In fact due to the recent injuries 3 of the 5 current starters were all acquired by Bloom in Pivetta, Winckowski and Seabold. So yes, he’s done a pretty good job since taking over baseball ops for the Sox.
Spitball – glad to see you go! Hope you stay gone a long time, because Bloom is not going anywhere!
The easy part of The schedule is over. The next 15 games to the AS break will get the sockless sox at 48-45. Then the battle for 4th in the East will commence.
Jimmy – You’re off by one game. They still play one more against the Cubbies, then it’s 17 brutal games against just the Yanks/Rays/Jays.
Pray for the Red Sox, they will need our prayers in the coming weeks. Especially if Cora continues to over-rely on his buddies while mismanaging the bullpen and Story continues his putrid performance since June 5th.
I think the battle for the wild card might be a tad more important.
WC 1 is very important. This year all three games are on the road for WC 2&3.
Fever is a troll who pretends to be a Sox fan but always goes back to his anti Bloom & Cora rants Ignore him. When people started ignoring KD17 and he couldn’t ruin the site for the true fans he went away.
Oh I muted KD and Fever last year. Both are very obvious trolls.
I have already muted both KD and Fever Pitch, and I am surprised that everyone hasn’t.
Jmi1950 – you are correct that they are USELESS TROLLS. Lol
I think KD 17 may have been kicked off the site. otherwise we’d still be subjected to his nonsensical overly long prose…
I doubt he was kicked off. Him, AL34, and Parks all disappeared as soon as we got hot.
I dunno. I feel like he hasn’t let that stop him in the past…either way I’m glad I don’t have to sift through his nonsense
2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the ALE will all make the playoffs.
Still sorting it out and we’re almost half way. I guess the great play from mid May to late June is over. Too many useful pitchers down and the backups are terrible. This will not go well for awhile. The plan should now be to make the playoffs and hope by then the staff is all reliable arms. It’s all about where the Red Sox are in September. Who’s healthy and how they’re playing.
“too many useful pitchers down …this will go on for a while”
Sale will be back after break, Whitlock is right behind him. And, there’s always trades, they will definitely be adding an arm, since the rest of team is relatively set.
I actually said, “This will not go well for awhile.” I’m worried short term. You are right, there are quality arms coming back soon. I just don’t think the division is a realistic goal. They are still a good team, still a playoff team. And can still do damage in the postseason.
My realistic scenario is for the Sox to get WC 1 with 3 games at Fenway vs WC 2. and win 2. Beat the NYY in the 5 gm ALDS and face Cleve in the ALCS . I always root for Tito when not playing the Sox — he is a class act.
Cleveland won’t beat out Minnesota, Buxton and Correa are just too good and they have enough pitching. Unless Buxton and/or Correa spends loads of time on the IL then Cleveland has a shot. I’m realistically expecting the Sox to get WC2….I think Toronto will make a push to try to catch the Yankees, Vlad Jr is just beginning to get hot. Tampa has been bitten by injuries and just isn’t the same team as last year, they will still get WC3 but it will come down to the wire with Cleveland and could go either way.
Chicken – Actually, there’s a very good chance Sale will be back a week from today. With so many veteran starting pitchers unable to pitch right now (Wacha, Hill, Paxton, Eovaldi), no sense in wasting another Sale start in the minors.
Sale is supposed to make his final rehab start on 7/6, making his 1st RS start on 7/11. Whitlock maybe this week. Eovaldi maybe next week.
And our chief backup has been great. I’m not overly concerned,.
And Taylor soon. A rotation of Sale, Evo, Pivetta, Wacha & Win with Whitlock & Taylor in the relief mix the pitching should be OK.
Paxton is also a possible in Sept.
I’m not taking anything for granted, but those first four guys should be league-average ERA of better, with Hill/Winc borderline. IMHO, Houck, Whitlock, Brasier, Schreiber & Sawamura should be top-tier from the right side (with Houck still being a wild card). Taylor, Strahm, Davis & Diekman maybe being league-average from the left side?
I’d be at least a little surprised if this wasn’t a .600+ team the rest of the way.
That’s 15 names without Barnes & Robles who would have to be DFA. Plus there has been talk that Bello may get a look this yr. There may be some very tough calls for Cora/Bloom et al.
Let Barnes and Robles open a book store.
I’d shop there.
Well done sir.
Let’s look at the American League, Boston had the 2nd best month of June only behind the Yankees. Boston is like 34-16 since starting 10-19. I can’t remember the last time besides this past series with the Cubs Boston lost a series to a non AL East team. So who is good enough to knock the Sox out of the wild card? Toronto and Tampa are both already in. Cleveland’s pitching is great but nobody can hit besides Jose Ramirez who is carrying that team. White Sox and Rangers have not shown us anything special. Boston has the 3rd best run differential in the AL behind Houston and New York. The only thing hindering the team is being in the AL East. Toronto and Tampa are very good and Baltimore is now competitive I said it here they will be around .500 at season end. There is no Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, or Angels to beat on. So can Cleveland use it’s weaker division and dominate KC and Detroit enough to get into the top 3 wild cards? That’s the only chance Boston misses the playoffs, its small.
Boston has the 3rd best run differential in the AL behind Houston and New York.
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As well as the 3rd best record. But we need to continue to win for another 6 weeks before I could get comfortable.
Joe – Thank you for keeping it real, that’s all I ever ask!
Ignore Fever he is a TROLL.
Rob Refsnyder for MVP
Some things you can always count on: hot dogs for the 4th of July, Santa on Christmas, Rich Hill making his annual length visit to the I-L.
He;’s 42. Deal with it.
4 to 6 weeks more likely if there’s really a tear. At 42, it takes longer to heal.
That’s fine. They can stretch his rehab to Sept 1,if they need the roster spot — a perfect 60 days.
Several of us noted when they signed him that Bloom was hoping he would last until Sale was back. He almost made it.
That’s exactly what he is there for. If he were 32 and uninjured, he’d be getting paid a lot more. And this is exactly why I wanted him last year as well,
First time following a Red Sox thread on this board/site. When I read “rotation is down to three pitchers” I thought the responses/posts would be overwhelmingly about seeking help through trades, but not a peep. So is Red Sox nation saying you are confident the team can handle covering injuries and adding depth internally so to be able to continue to compete for a playoff spot?
Pivetta & Winc have been solid. Bello, K. Crawford and Siebold are the AAA depth. Sale Evo & Wacha all may be back from injury soon. If that’s not enough then maybe a trade. As for RP’s Whitlock & Taylor should be back soon. Schrieber, Houck, Straum, Diekman, Sawamura, Brazier, Davis would give them 9 — one too many because of the 13 P limit so it is too soon to be trading for a P when they do not have a roster spot open,
Confident — No — Hopeful — Yes
I’m actually wondering about the Trevor Story signing, if that is a sign they are going to try to trade Bogaerts. I say this because Jaren Duran is doing good in center and Keke needs a spot to play when he comes back from being injured. Keke can play second and you move Story to short. Bogaerts can maybe get us some bullpen help. Trading Bogey would not be the worst thing this team can do, as long as Keke is healthy soon.
I doubt Bogaerts gets traded, and imho, we don’t really need any BP help once Whitlock returns.
That said, we will have a roster crunch when Kiki returns. Unless Duran falls in a hole, he has to start the rest of the year (and I was never a fan, but…). Refsnyder has been playing great, and is a great platoon partner for 3 lefties starters, or a strict platoon partner for JBJ. Arroyo is suddenly 9-23 with a HR.
I like all our guys, but someone has to go.
I doubt they trade Bogaerts mid season. He’s far more valuable remaining in the lineup all year and helping them win. If he opts out and leaves as a free agent so be it. Boston’s farm system is strong enough right now to not need to get someone for Bogaerts. If he leaves that money he was being paid will go to some other signing.
kingken67
If he leaves that money he was being paid will go to some other signing.
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A lot of fans don’t get that. Whether you spend $25M+ on Bogaerts+, or whether you spend it on a #1 SP, the WAR you receive in return will be pretty similar.
Bloom’s mission statement is to make this team more efficient and to take down its dollar cost per win (that’s the metric Henry uses to grade GMs). This guarantees we are losing at least JD this off-season. The one person who has a blank check on the team is Devers. No way will the team let him walk but everybody else is suspect. This team is going to have a massive overhaul in the off-season, some of that talent Bloom has stock piled is now ready. This is why I have a strong suspicion Bogey is on the trade market. He would be moving to third next year anyway if he stays because Devers is going to DH. They aren’t just going to trade him for prospects in mid-season though, they pull the trigger it’d be for a legit player.
You know this is a mandate to Bloom how exactly? And no, Devers is not moving to DH next year. He’s more than shown so far this year he’s capable of playing GG caliber defense.
How does the Trevor Story signing fit into the overhaul of the team?
kingbum
Bloom’s mission statement is to make this team more efficient and to take down its dollar cost per win (that’s the metric Henry uses to grade GMs). This guarantees we are losing at least JD this off-season.
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I agree with the process, though I have a slightly different formula. But the thing to consider is that Henry is still pretty likely to spend to the cap (no matter what the nimrods think). So, “if” we lose JD, Eovaldi, and Bogaerts, we’ll be spending elsewhere.
This assumes that Sale & Eovaldi return, but I am completely confident in Sale, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Wacha, and then some combo of Winc, Seabold, & Kutter,
@jmi, kingbum, JoeB: guys, thanks for the insight. The thought that comes to mind is that I probably wouldn’t want to General Manage for a living. Bloom, like all GMs, under a microscope. That said, from your shares, looks like he’s done good job of securing pitching depth in house. Cheers!
First time in a long time I can say I’m comfortable with the depth. Bloom may not have been going after high priced free agents, but he did find serviceable undervalued depth pieces over the past couple years. Dombrowski would of went for star power and you’d have zero depth. Wacha and Hill have done what they were brought here to do, if Sale comes back pitching like an Ace everything will fall into place.
@Kingbum, I can relate. O’s fan since 64. Since then, in my humble view, O’s have had sustained success (5 to 6 year runs) 4 different times. Each time there was depth on the roster. I’m enjoying following this Mike Elias and company rebuild down here. Starting back in late 2018, Mike was John Angelos’ key hire. On a shoe string budget plus that Covid setback, through “arts and crafts” management, Mike is making progress. In particular, did not anticipate the pitching doing as well as it is this year. After that corp roster is established, I’m pretty sure Mr. Elias will take a page out of Mr. Blooms’ playbook and go for depth as well. Fingers crossed, baby, fingers crossed!
Omg no way Rich Hill is hurt. That’s an impossibility.
OMG, no way you think this is clever. That’s an impossibility.
Bello is coming….