A's Rich Hill (blister) still drawing trade interest, David Forst says

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Friday, July 29, 2016

Oakland Athletics left-hander Rich Hill has been ruled out for his start Sunday against the Cleveland Indians after he said the blister on his left middle finger hasn't fully healed.

Sonny Gray will start in place of Hill on Sunday.

Hill, who left his last start July 17 after only five pitches because of the blister, said the finger is feeling better but that it began to feel "hot" after he threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

"It feels like we're making good progress, but if we run out there and end up in a situation like we were last time, we're pushing it back even more," Hill told the Chronicle. "We're already at two weeks at this point."

Despite the injury, A's general manager David Forst said the team has received calls from several teams interested in acquiring Hill ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

Though Hill could be headed to the disabled list, Forst said the blister issue "has not diminished phone calls on him." TheLos Angeles Dodgersare among the teams interested, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, and have discussed a trade involvingJosh Reddick.

"We're having a lot of conversations," Forst told reporters Friday. "I couldn't handicap whether we do something."

Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA and has 90 strikeouts and 28 walks.