Rich Hill was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, as the club effectively parted ways with MLB’s oldest and most well-traveled player after just two appearances.
The 45-year-old southpaw posted a 5.00 ERA in a pair of starts, allowing seven runs (five earned) in nine innings.
In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled relief pitcher Thomas Hatch from Triple-A Omaha.
Hill was baseballâs oldest active player and competing in his 21st major league season. In pitching for Kansas City, he tied fellow pitcher Edwin Jacksonâs record of playing for 14 different teams.
The Royals will have 10 days from Monday to trade, waive or release Hill. With that uncertainty raises the possibility, has Hill thrown his last pitch as a big leaguer?
What Teams Has Rich Hill Pitched For?
Hill has lived a nomadic existence since breaking into the majors in 2005. He bounced between six organizations over his first 10 seasons, pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees.
He spent the 2024 season with Boston, notching a 4.91 ERA in four games (3.2 innings) as a reliever. In doing so, he became the only active player to appear in a game in each of the last 20 seasons, a milestone he called âspecial.â
In May, the Royals signed Hill to a minor-league deal. Prior to being recalled, Hill went 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Omaha.
Hill has also pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres.
For his career, Hill is 90-76 with a 4.02 ERA in 1,418 innings spanning 388 appearances (250 starts). He has 1,432 strikeouts compared to 551 walks.
What is Next for Rich Hill?
Royals manager Matt Quatraro was highly complimentary of Hill prior to the DFA, saying via MLB.comâs Anne Rogers: âThe competitiveness, the drive, the desire to still be great at what he does is really inspiring. He keeps himself in shape. Last night, he lost the feel for his breaking ball a little bit. The walks got up there. But heâs competing like crazy.â
It is certainly possible that Hill clears waivers and elects to remain in the organization, reporting back to Triple-A. But Hill could have options as teams look to fill innings down the stretch of the regular season.
With Thursdayâs trade deadline approaching, much will change over the next few days.
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