Rich Hill could debut for Dodgers against Giants next week

After two weeks of false starts, the Dodgers are hopeful the wait for Rich Hill’s debut could end next week.

Hill will pitch a simulated game on Thursday in Arizona to test the blister on his left middle finger. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the “possibility” that Hill could pitch when the San Francisco Giants come to Dodger Stadium for three games starting on Tuesday.

The Dodgers will re-evaluate if Hill can complete his assignment on Thursday. The team scheduled the outing for the evening so the conditions are more agreeable for Hill’s hand. He has not faced batters since a five-pitch outing on July 17 with Oakland.

The blistered popped that day, and the Athletics placed Hill on the disabled list. The Dodgers traded for him, anyway, in a package that also included new right fielder Josh Reddick. Since joining the Dodgers, Hill has already had his scheduled debut cancelled twice.

But when he takes the mound, Hill could be the best pitcher on the roster. He posted a 2.25 earned-run average in 14 starts for Oakland, and struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings.

Liberatore back, but not activated

Adam Liberatore, the left-handed reliever who forms part of the bridge to closer Kenley Jansen, met the team in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The team plans to activate him from the disabled list, where he has been nursing elbow inflammation, on Friday.

Pitching on a rehabilitation assignment, Liberatore struck out two batters in a scoreless inning on Tuesday night with triple-A Oklahoma City.

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes