BOSTON -- Rich Hill has an appointment scheduled with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. <\/p>\n
That rendezvous alone isn't a positive sign. But after being sidelined for a year with Tommy John surgery -- for his elbow -- the Red Sox reliever sensed tightness once again in his left elbow. <\/p>\n
As a result of the discomfort, Hill will visit Andrews, the same surgeon who performed the procedure. It prompted the Red Sox to place Hill on the 15-day disabled list and recall Mark Melancon from Triple-A Pawtucket. <\/p>\n
Hill first experienced the tightness three weeks ago, according to Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. <\/p>\n
\"It bothered him a little, and then it went away and there was no problem,\" Valentine said. \"I heard of it one of those days where I didnt use him for three days or so, and then he said he was fine, and then I think it was five days since he was in a game the other day.\" <\/p>\n
That appearance was Friday, during the series opener against the Nationals. In the outing, Hill surrendering two hits but pitched a scoreless inning. He also racked up his 11th strikeout of the season. <\/p>\n
Although Valentine didn't notice anything different with Hill, the skipper said the late breaking movement on the southpaw's curveball was different. Hill unleashed four curveballs in a sequence against Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. <\/p>\n
When approached by reporters at his locker, Hill declined comment until after his meeting with Andrews. <\/p>\n
\"I don't have any answers right now,\" Hill said. <\/p>\n
His absence leaves two lefties in the bullpen -- Franklin Morales and Andrew Miller. Prior to the revelation of Hill's injury, Valentine expressed his intention to stretch out Morales into long relief and possibly an occasional spot start. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Continued here: <\/p>\n
Rich Hill Experiences Discomfort With Surgically Repaired Left Elbow, Heads to the 15-Day Disabled List<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BOSTON -- Rich Hill has an appointment scheduled with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. That rendezvous alone isn't a positive sign Continue reading