45-year old Veteran Pitcher Rich Hill Reportedly Joining Record-Tying 14th MLB Team

45-year old Veteran Pitcher Rich Hill Reportedly Joining Record-Tying 14th MLB Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

20-year veteran pitcher Rich Hill is expected to make his return to the majors this week and tie a big league record in the process.

According to Fansided MLB Insider Robert Murray, the Kansas City Royals (48-52) are promoting the 45-year old southpaw from Triple-A Omaha. Hill, who last pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2024, could take the mound as early as Tuesday per sources.

The Royals signed Hill to a minor league contract on May 14. He made two starts in the Arizona Complex League before being promoted to Omaha. In nine starts with the Storm Chasers, Hill went 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. He also walked 25 and struck out 48 batters in 41 innings.

Earlier this month, Hill became the first 45-year old to strikeout 10 batters in a professional game since Nolan Ryan did so for the Texas Rangers in 1992.

Royals pitchers currently boast a 3.49 ERA, which is second in MLB behind only the Texas Rangers. Although it's unclear whether Hill will be used as a starter or a reliever once he joins the big league club, the Royals had a rotation spot open up when Michael Lorenzen went on the 15-day injured list with an oblique strain.

Not only would Hill immediately supplant Justin Verlander as the oldest active player in baseball, but he'd tie a major-league record with Edwin Jackson by playing for his 14th different MLB team.

Across 20 big league seasons, Hill has a record of 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.259 WHIP and 1,428 strikeouts. He's pitched for the Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.

Hill and the Royals begin a three-game series against the NL-Central leading Cubs on Monday night at Wrigley Field, where he made his MLB debut on June 15, 2005.

Related: Dodgers Labeled Best Fit for Royals' Cy Young Finalist Amid Rotation Uncertainty

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.