Rich Hill, the 45-year-old left-hander who briefly pitched for the Yankees in 2014, is aiming to return to the majors. He signed a minor league deal with the Royals, which could make them his 14th MLB team — tying a league record. Known for his signature curveball, Hill brings decades of experience and determination to yet another comeback attempt.
Rich Hill’s journey through Major League Baseball has been nothing short of epic — and the New York Yankees were just one of many stops along the way.
Now 45, the veteran lefty who tossed for the Yanks back in 2014 is eyeing yet another chapter. Hill recently signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, hoping to crack a big-league roster once more.
If he makes it, Hill would tie Edwin Jackson’s MLB record by playing for a 14th team. That’s some serious mileage.
Back in 2014, Hill pitched in 14 games for the Yankees, putting up an impressive 1.69 ERA. Since then, he’s worn a dozen different uniforms, making him one of the most well-traveled players in baseball history.
According to MLB.com, Hill was supposed to report to Triple-A Omaha after signing with the Royals. But so far, no appearances — he’s currently listed with the Royals’ complex team in Arizona, per MiLB.com.
“He had been throwing, said he felt good,” Royals assistant GM Scott Sharp told MLB.com. “We had contacted him actually last year. He wanted a little bit more of a clearer path to the Major Leagues, so we reached out to him this year and said, ‘Hey, look, we have an opportunity to start in Triple-A. We don’t know if there’s a path to the Major Leagues at all.’ But he wants to continue to pitch, so we felt like it was a good spot.”
Hill’s been a big-league presence for two decades, debuting in 2005. Over 1,409 innings, he’s racked up 1,428 strikeouts and a career 4.01 ERA — all while relying on that signature curveball that’s aged like fine wine.
His résumé includes stints with the Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, then-Indians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Athletics, Mets, Padres, Twins, Angels — and of course, the Yankees.
So… why not one more?
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