One of the most intriguing storylines of the MLB season emerged on Monday, when the Kansas City Royals announced that 45-year-old journeyman pitcher Rich Hill would make the start on Tuesday night. Hill was recently called up from the Royals' minor league system and now becomes the oldest active player in Major League Baseball.
45-Year-Old Journeyman Pitcher Set to Make MLB History Following Season Debut Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
One of the most intriguing storylines of the MLB season emerged on Monday, when the Kansas City Royals announced that 45-year-old journeyman pitcher Rich Hill would make the start on Tuesday night.
Hill was recently called up from the Royals' minor league system and now becomes the oldest active player in Major League Baseball. His last MLB appearance came in 2024 with the Boston Red Sox, where he pitched in relief on Sept. 4 against the New York Mets.
Tuesday’s outing will mark his first start as a Royal, and remarkably, the 14th different MLB team he has pitched for in his career—a milestone few have even approached.
According to OptaSTATS, once Hill throws his first pitch Tuesday night, he’ll officially become the only player in MLB history to pitch for seven different teams after turning 40.
When Rich Hill makes his debut for the @Royals, it will the 7th different team he plays for at age-40 or older – the most of any player in NL/AL/FL history. pic.twitter.com/b9dXwnDT9I
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 22, 2025
Hill’s durability and longevity are beyond question, and he has remained a formidable presence wherever he’s pitched. Over his career, Hill has posted a 4.01 ERA across 386 games and 248 starts, holding a 90–74 record overall.
Despite his longevity, he’s never pitched more than six seasons for any single team. The Boston Red Sox, with whom he had two separate stints, represent the team he spent the most time with. He also logged four seasons each with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, while every other stop in his career lasted just one season or less.
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Now entering what will officially be his 23rd MLB season, Hill’s resume is as unique as it is extensive: he will have played for 13 different American League teams and 10 National League teams, further highlighting one of the most traveled—and resilient—careers in baseball history.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
