The Boston Red Sox have officially released veteran pitcher Rich Hill, as reported by Christopher Smith of MassLive. With this move, Hill, who is 44 years old, has been let go after a brief stint with the team and will be eligible to sign with another club for the remaining weeks of the regular season. However, due to the timing of his potential new contract—post-September—Hill will not be eligible to participate in the postseason if he joins a new team.
The Red Sox made the decision to designate Hill for assignment on Friday in order to promote rookie right-hander Luis Guerrero. This marked the end of Hill’s most recent tenure with the Red Sox, during which he made just four appearances. Over those outings, Hill pitched a total of 3 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs. He struck out five of the 15 batters he faced but also walked three. Hill’s fastball averaged in the mid-80s, and he relied heavily on a 70 mph breaking ball during his limited time on the mound.
Despite the brief and challenging stint, Hill achieved a milestone by making it to the major leagues for a 20th consecutive year. This tenure with the Red Sox was Hill’s eighth overall stint with the team, counting both major and minor league deals, and his fourth time appearing in the big leagues for Boston. Hill had waited until late in the season to sign a minor league contract with the Red Sox, joining the team in mid-August and being called up just ten days later.
Now, as the oldest active player in MLB, Hill returns to free agency. Should he sign with another team for the remainder of the season, it is likely to be with a playoff contender, given that he won’t be eligible for the postseason. Earlier in the summer, Hill reportedly attracted interest from several teams, including the Yankees, Dodgers, and Twins.
All three of these teams are currently in playoff positions. The Yankees are in a tight race for the AL East, holding a slim half-game lead over the Orioles. The Twins, despite a recent slump, are working to maintain their 3.5-game lead for the final American League wild-card spot. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are nearly secure in their NL West title and are focused on securing the top seed in the National League while managing a number of injuries to their rotation.
As Hill explores his options, he could potentially contribute in a versatile role to help a team push towards October, even if he won’t be able to participate in the postseason himself.