Rich Hill is back in the majors after nearly 20 years and more than a dozen teams since he first started his big league career.
The Boston Red Sox called up the 44-year-old lefty from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday as Hill looks to add to his long career. If he pitches in 2024, he will be the only active player to appear in games in each of the past 20 seasons.
“He looks great physically. He’s always taking care of that part. He’s excited to be back,” manager Alex Cora said before the Red Sox played the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.
“He was very diligent the last few months about his craft. He’s always done it. So now, no doubt about him that physically, he’s going to be OK, throw the ball well.”
With injuries affecting the pitching staff, it’s not clear how the Red Sox will use Hill and where he might fit in. He is ready to do whatever the team needs, according to Cora.
Wearing No. 44 on his uniform, Hill could join former Red Sox teammate Tim Wakefield as one of the few pitchers to play for the team at age 44 or older.
Wakefield, who wore No. 49 and passed away last October, holds the team record for pitching at 45 years old, his last game being on Sept. 25, 2011. The Red Sox are honoring Wakefield this season with a No. 49 patch on their jersey sleeves.
This is Hill’s fourth time with the Red Sox, who signed him to a minor league deal on Aug. 16. Hill threw two scoreless innings in a start for Worcester on Friday, striking out two, walking one, and hitting a batter.
Hill has played for 13 major league teams, just one short of Edwin Jackson’s record.
Born in Boston, Hill has a 90-73 record with a 4.01 ERA in 382 career games, including 248 starts. He also played for the Red Sox from 2010-12, then again in 2015 and 2022. He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.
