Royals to call up 45-year-old pitcher Rich Hill for 21st MLB season

The Kansas City Royals will call up veteran left-hander Rich Hill from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday to start against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Royals manager Matt Quatraro confirmed the move after the team’s 12-4 victory over Chicago on Monday.

At 45, Hill will become the oldest active player in Major League Baseball (MLB). His appearance will also tie Edwin Jackson’s MLB record for most teams played for, as Kansas City becomes Hill’s 14th franchise.



Hill, who debuted with the Cubs in 2005, has enjoyed a long and winding MLB journey. He last pitched in the majors for the Boston Red Sox in 2024, making four relief appearances with a 4.91 ERA before being designated for assignment in September. His previous stops include Baltimore, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, New York Yankees and Mets, Oakland, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and San Diego.

Over 20 seasons, Hill has compiled a 90-74 record with a 4.01 ERA, 1,428 strikeouts, and 543 walks in 1,409 innings across 386 appearances (248 starts). He’s also been a reliable postseason arm, posting a 3.06 ERA in 11 playoff games (10 starts).

This season with Omaha, Hill has gone 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine starts, showcasing enough to earn another MLB opportunity.

The start will mark a return to Wrigley Field, where Hill began his career nearly two decades ago. His longevity, versatility, and tenacity continue to make him a remarkable story in baseball.