Former Red Sox Pitcher Has Path Back To Boston: What Will It Take?

Will Rich Hill make a drive for five?

The former Red Sox left-hander has a path back to Boston, if it’s something chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wishes to explore.

Hill, 45, signed a minor-league contract last month with the Royals. He’s made three starts for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, going 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA. That includes 19 strikeouts in 16 innings of work.

Hill passed on exercising a June 15 opt-out clause in his contract. But if he is offered a major-league contract, the Royals won’t stop Hill, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray.

“Considering his performance, extensive experience in the Majors and how many teams need pitching ahead of the playoff push, it’s possible Dick Mountain is in the Majors again before too long,” Murray wrote Tuesday.

Hill had a cup of coffee last season with the Red Sox, compiling a 4.91 ERA in four relief appearances. The 2024 campaign marked the fourth time he suited up for the Red Sox. Hill also had stints in 2010-12, 2015, and 2022.

Breslow deciding to run it back with Hill could make sense, since the Red Sox currently have the following pitchers on the injured list: Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Jordan Hicks, Justin Slaten, Liam Hendriks, Josh Winckowski and Patrick Sandoval.

Hill has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.

The Milton, Mass. native has made 386 career appearances during his 20-year career, including 248 starts, recording 90 wins and a 4.01 ERA.

And for what it’s worth, both Hill and Breslow were in the Red Sox system at the same time twice during their careers: 2012 and 2015.