Ex-Red Sox Hurler Finds New Home With American League Opponent

Father Time is undefeated. Sooner or later, everyone has to hang up the cleats and call it a career.

Unless you’re Rich Hill.

That’s right, at 45 years old, Hill is back in the major leagues, this time with the Kansas City Royals. According to MLB Insider Robert Murray of Fansided, the Royals are promoting Hill from Triple-A Omaha.

Hill last pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2024. He made four appearances and completed 3 2/3 innings. He registered a 4.91 ERA, striking out 33.3% of the hitters he faced.

Hill topped out at 88.8 mph last season. He bottomed out at 68.9 mph. A veteran, the lefty knows he can’t overpower hitters and instead resorts to craftiness. He’ll change arm angles frequently, change speeds, and let out a grunt on release nearly every pitch.

When Hill appears in a game, it will be the 14th major league team he pitches for. That ties the record for most teams played for with Edwin Jackson.

The Royals’ catching options, Salvador Perez, Freddy Fermin and Luke Maile, are all on the older side, so he probably won’t be breaking any records for the largest age gap in a battery.