Hill elected free agency Friday.
Hill made a pair of starts for the Royals at the end of July but but was saddled with the loss in both contests after surrendering a total of seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and eight walks across nine innings of work. He struck out just four of the 43 batters he faced and registered a 5.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in his limited action. The 45-year-old may see if he can land a chance to start elsewhere.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Designated for assignment
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The Royals designated Hill for assignment Tuesday.
Hill made two starts for Kansas City and really struggled in the second one Monday versus Atlanta, walking six while allowing four runs over four innings. The 45-year-old southpaw will likely pass through waivers unclaimed, at which point he must decide whether to pitch at Triple-A Omaha or become a free agent.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Struggles with control in loss
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Hill (0-2) took the loss Monday against Atlanta, yielding four runs on three hits and six walks over four innings with three strikeouts.
The veteran southpaw could not find the strike zone when it counted in this 81-pitch appearance, as he issued six or more free passes for the third time in his 21-year career. All four runs scored against Hill came on a pair of two-run long balls -- a 468-foot Ronald Acuna blast in the fourth and a 408-foot Marcell Ozuna homer in the fourth. In nine total innings across two starts, Hill has conceded seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and eight walks while striking out four. The 45-year-old currently lines up to make his next start on the road against Toronto this weekend.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Receiving another start
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Hill is slated to start Monday's game against Atlanta at Kauffman Stadium.
The 45-year-old lefty will be making his second straight turn through the Kansas City rotation after he fared reasonably well in his Royals debut this past Tuesday, when he limited the Cubs to three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings. Though he'll need to continue delivering serviceable outings to stick around with Kansas City, Hill's path to an extended stay in the rotation appears to have gotten clearer after Kris Bubic (shoulder) recently joined Cole Ragans (shoulder) and Michael Lorenzen (oblique) on the injured list.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Goes five innings in team debut
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Hill (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out one.
Hill made MLB history Tuesday by pitching for his 14th team, tying Edwin Jackson's all-time record. The 45-year-old delivered a solid outing, allowing one earned run and three total over five innings, with defensive miscues by the Royals contributing to the damage. While the veteran lefty no longer has swing-and-miss stuff or any velocity, which will likely limit his effectiveness at this level, just being on a major league mound for a 21st consecutive season is a remarkable accomplishment. His current big-league stint may end once Michael Lorenzen (oblique) returns, but Hill's longevity is undeniably impressive.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Officially back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Royals selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Hill will start Tuesday's game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, which is the same site where he made his major-league debut all the way back in June 2005. The 45-year-old put up a 5.36 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB in 42 innings with Omaha before getting the promotion. Hill will be pitching on two days' rest after throwing two innings for Omaha on Saturday.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Call-up on tap
Rotowire
The Royals are expected to call Hill up from Triple-A Omaha, and he'll likely pitch Tuesday against the Cubs, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The 45-year-old lefty will become the oldest active player in the majors once he joins the Royals for what will be his 21st season in the big leagues with his 14th different team. The Royals haven't clarified their plans for Hill, but he'll likely start or pitch in bulk relief while essentially operating as the fifth member of their rotation until either of Michael Lorenzen (oblique) or Cole Ragans (shoulder) return from the injured list. After joining the organization on a minor-league deal May 14, Hill reported to Triple-A at the beginning of June and turned in a 5.36 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB in 42 innings with Omaha. He had pitched more effectively over his last two outings, however, striking out 11 while allowing one earned run in seven innings.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Struggles in loss Friday
Rotowire
Hill (3-1) took the loss Friday against Triple-A Durham, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks across five innings. He struck out six.
Hill turned in his roughest outing for Triple-A Omaha in four starts at the level, struggling with command and surrendering frequent hard contact. The 45-year-old now holds a 4.34 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over six starts and 29 innings between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A this season. The veteran southpaw had a June 15 opt-out clause but chose to remain with the Royals organization. However, should a major-league offer come his way from another team, the Royals "will not stand in his way," Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
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Royals' Rich Hill: Signs minors pact with Royals
Rotowire
Hill signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old lefty will report to the Royals' spring training complex before eventually joining Triple-A Omaha. Hill logged 3.2 innings across four relief appearances with Boston last year while averaging 86.5 mph on his fastball.
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Rich Hill: Would like to pitch in 2025
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Hill would like to pitch for a major-league team in 2025, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Hill, who will turn 45 in March, signed with the Red Sox in August but was released after allowing two runs over 3.2 innings. The left-hander is currently pitching for the United States in the WBSC Premier12 tournament, most recently throwing four scoreless innings in a start against Japan. Hill could very well get another opportunity with a major-league club in 2025, although it would almost surely be on a minor-league contract.
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Rich Hill: Let go by Boston
Rotowire
Hill was released by the Red Sox on Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Hill was designated for assignment by the team Friday, but he'll now officially hit the open market. The left-hander made four appearances with Boston, producing a 4.91 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Designated for assignment
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Hill was designated for assignment Friday, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
Hill had a 4.91 ERA, five strikeouts and three walks in 3.2 innings over four appearances for Boston. It's possible this is the last we see of the 44-year-old lefty in the majors.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Used out of bullpen
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Hill struck out two over 1.1 scoreless relief innings in Thursday's 2-0 loss to Toronto.
Hill closed out the seventh inning by striking out Daulton Varsho with a runner on base, then threw a 1-2-3 eighth. He agreed to a minor-league deal with Boston earlier this month and worked his way back to the big leagues. Thursday's appearance made 2024 the 20th consecutive year in which the left-hander has appeared in an MLB game. While he's been mainly a starter throughout his career, Hill is expected to work out of the Red Sox bullpen.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Officially recalled
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The Red Sox selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The 44-year-old Hill will make his 2024 big-league debut after throwing a pair of scoreless innings in his lone appearance with Worcester. Despite operating as a starter for most of his career, Hill is slated to come out of the bullpen for the Red Sox.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Expected to be called up
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The Red Sox selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Hill made just one appearance with Worcester after inking a minor-league contract in mid-August, tossing two scoreless innings on Aug. 23. The 44-year-old threw 28 pitches in the appearance, so he's not ready to be used as a traditional starter initially. Hill posted a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 146.1 innings with the Pirates and Padres in 2023.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Logs two scoreless innings
Rotowire
Hill walked one and struck out two over two scoreless innings for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.
Hill made his debut for the WooSox after the 44-year-old left-hander signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox a week ago. He threw 28 pitches (15 strikes). The organization will evaluate Hill's outings in the minors to determine if he should be called up to bolster the pitching staff down the stretch. There could be a rotation opportunity for Hill after the Red Sox transferred James Paxton (calf) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: First Triple-A start Friday
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Hill will start for Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Henrique of Beyond the Monster reports.
It's the first start this season for Hill, who inked a minor-league contract with the Red Sox last week. It will be an abbreviated outing for Hill, with Brad Keller following him in a piggyback situation. The 44-year-old will likely need multiple appearances with Worcester before Boston considers adding him to its roster.
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Red Sox's Rich Hill: Agrees to minors deal with Boston
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The Red Sox signed Hill to a minor-league contract Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Hill turned 44 in March and has not pitched anywhere this season. However, he had maintained hope of eventually landing a deal with a contender and now is back for what would be his fourth stint with the Red Sox, assuming he's eventually added to the major-league roster. The left-hander has been throwing on his own and is expected to join Triple-A Worcester next week. With James Paxton (calf) likely done for the season, Hill could get a shot to be Boston's fifth starter down the stretch.
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Rich Hill: Still hoping to pitch in 2024
Rotowire
Hill said in an interview Wednesday with David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that he has been ramping up during bullpen sessions and is preparing to sign with a team in August.
Coming off a 2023 season in which he struggled to a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 146.1 innings with the Pirates and Padres, the 44-year-old Hill isn't yet ready to close the book on his playing career. He made it clear over the winter that he didn't intend to sign anywhere until around midseason so that he could coach his son's Little League team in the spring, but given his age and poor form to close out the 2023 season, interest in Hill likely would have been minimal had he committed to joining a team before spring training. Though the veteran southpaw now feels like he'll be ready to contribute soon, he'll most likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in free agency and prove himself against Triple-A competition before he gets another look in the majors.
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Padres' Rich Hill: Plans to continue career
Rotowire
Hill plans to continue his playing career in 2024, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Hill made the revelation on Bradford's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. The 43-year-old left-hander didn't have a great 2023 campaign, posting a 5.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 129:58 K:BB over 146.1 innings for the Pirates and Padres. Hill will turn 44 shortly after Opening Day next year but should be able to find a club willing to give him a one-year contract.
