Rich Hill isn’t done yet. The 45-year-old left-hander has been reportedly called up by the Kansas City Royals, making him the oldest active player in Major League Baseball. With this move, Hill ties Edwin Jackson’s record of playing for 14 different MLB teams.
The Royals, dealing with a string of injuries in their rotation, promoted Hill from Triple-A Omaha, where he had been pitching since signing a minor-league deal in mid-May.
He last pitched in the majors for the Boston Red Sox in 2024, and now returns for what will be his 21st big-league season.
Hill’s return isn’t just about numbers, though the ones he’s putting up are impressive for a 45-year-old.
In a July 13 outing with Omaha, he struck out 10 batters, making him the first 45-year-old to notch double-digit strikeouts in a professional game since Nolan Ryan in 1992.
Despite a 5.36 ERA over 42 innings in Triple-A, Hill’s consistency and veteran know-how remain valuable assets for a club short on arms.
So, what’s driving Hill to keep going? Simply put, he still loves the game. After stints with 13 different teams and numerous injuries throughout his career, Hill has said in past interviews that his passion for baseball and the joy of competing keep him lacing up his cleats.
His decision to stay with the Royals’ system past his opt-out date in June, rather than pursue other teams or retirement, suggests he believed he could still contribute meaningfully at the major-league level.
Hill’s call-up makes Kansas City his 14th MLB team, tying the all-time record with Edwin Jackson. Here’s a look at his journey:
The Royals are currently without starters Cole Ragans, Alec Marsh, and Michael Lorenzen, all sidelined with injuries.
With a gap in the rotation, Hill may be a candidate to start against the Cubs this week. All nine of his appearances in Triple-A were starts, and he’s averaged 4 2/3 innings per outing.
While Hill is now MLB’s oldest player, surpassing 42-year-old Justin Verlander, he’s still chasing moments on the mound. During his best years with the Dodgers (2016-2019), Hill posted a 30-16 record with a 3.16 ERA and became a staple in playoff rotations, starting 12 postseason games.
With Jamie Moyer still holding the all-time record as the oldest MLB pitcher (49), Hill may not be aiming to break that mark, but for now, he’s still finding ways to compete and contribute, even in the twilight of his career.
