The Kansas City Royals have designated veteran left-hander Rich Hill for assignment after his brief stint with the team. Hill, who is 45 years old, made just two starts for the Royals, both of which resulted in losses. Over those nine innings, he posted a 5.00 ERA.
Hill’s time with the Royals allowed him to tie Edwin Jackson for the record of playing for a 14th team in Major League Baseball (MLB). His appearances on July 22 and July 28 marked another chapter in a lengthy career spanning 21 seasons. Prior to joining the Royals, Hill had made nine starts for Triple-A Omaha, where he recorded a 4-4 record and a 5.36 ERA in the current season.
In a corresponding move, the Royals have recalled right-hander Thomas Hatch from Omaha. Hatch, 30, returns to the majors for the first time since the 2023 season, where he split time between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his time with the Blue Jays from 2020 to 2023, he accumulated a 4.96 ERA across 39 appearances, including six starts.
Hill’s extensive career includes stints with notable teams such as the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. His career statistics reflect a record of 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA, 543 walks, and 1,428 strikeouts in 1,409 innings across 386 games, with 248 starts. In the postseason, he has made 13 appearances, achieving a 1-2 record and a 3.06 ERA.
As the Royals move forward, the decision to part ways with Hill marks a significant moment in the franchise’s ongoing development and roster management strategies. The team looks to bolster its pitching staff with Hatch stepping in, aiming to improve their performance as the season progresses.