Rich Hill

At 44 years old, Rich Hill has this physical status:

Professional career

Hill was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft and signed on July 10, 2002. He had been rated as one of the best curveballs in the draft, but mechanical and control problems kept him out of the early rounds. He started his playing days with the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League, where he was 0–2 with an 8.36 ERA in six games. He was 1–6 with a 4.35 ERA in 14 starts and led the Northwest League in strikeouts with 99. He was drafted into the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League, where he was 0–1 in 15 games (4 starts).

He was drafted to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League in 2004. He was 7-6 with a 4.03 ERA in 28 games (19 starts) and 136 strikeouts. He was also selected by Baseball America as having the best curveball in the Cubs organization.

Hill, a member of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League, began the 2005 season. While leading the league in strikeouts with 90, he made ten starts for them with a 4–3 record and 3.28 ERA. He was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League in May. He was 6–1 in 11 games for Iowa with a 3.60 ERA and 92 strikeouts. He received accolades from Milb.com as the year's best performer.

Hill made his major league debut against the Florida Marlins on June 15, 2005. He pitched one inning of relief, giving up two runs on three hits, but did not factor in the decision. Carlos Delgado was knocked out by him for his first major league strike outing.

Hill's first appearance against the San Francisco Giants was on July 25, 2005, when she subbing for the injured Kerry Wood. He gave up two earned runs two times, but the Indians only took five innings. Hill tripped over third-base on his way to the plate after a Todd Walker drive down the right-field line, making the game memorable. Walker was forced to stop at first base and Jerry Hairston Jr. (who was behind Hill) at second after only one out and the Cubs down by one. Hill did not score and took third base unhurt, but that was disappointing. He did not play a factor in the decision, which was a Cubs win. While getting four starts, he ended the season with a 0–2 record in ten games (23+23 innings). His ERA was 9.13 years old, with 21 of them striking out 21 when walking 17.

He began the season in Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs in 2006, but was called up against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 4 for a start. During the Chicago White Sox's cross-town classic later this month, he attracted a following in Chicago. Hill lost 7–0 on May 20, and was the starter in the game in which A. J. Pierzynski ran over Cubs catcher Michael Barrett at the plate in a big collision. Hill was sent back to Triple-A Iowa the next day. He made 15 starts for Iowa and was 7-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 135 strikeouts. He was invited to the mid-season Pacific Coast League all-star game, where he was the best player in the sport, and he was later selected as a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star.

Hill got off to a good start against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 27. He was only 3+1 innings, giving up four runs on six hits and walking three wickets. He defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in their first major league victory on August 1, and the Arizona Diamondbacks won their second game and his first win streak on August 6. In a Cubs victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 6, Hill fanned a career-high 11 batters for the first time in a career. On September 16, Hill's first complete game and shutout came against the Cincinnati Reds in a game in which he fanned ten and allowed just two hits. Hill's two complete games were the only CG's by the Cubs' pitching staff in the 2006 season, and he was one of the rotation's most consistent contributors, despite being called back to the rotation with a 6.93 ERA.

Hill joined the Cubs in spring and was the fourth starter in the rotation after Carlos Zano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis. For his first game of the 2007 season, he pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers in a perfect game, allowing just one batter and one run over 7 innings pitched. He continued to impress in April, prompting some to suspect that he was taking over as the ace of the Cubs rotation while others speculated that he was batting without an earned run for the first time in 18 runs.

Michael Barrett of the Cubs characterized Hill's signature pitch as follows:

Hill suffered a setback in Philadelphia, where he suffered his second game of the season, giving up five runs and leaving the game without getting any outs in the sixth inning. His next attempt was in New York City, and he got off to a rocky start, resulting in his third defeat. Lou Piniella, the Cubs' manager, urged the team to solve problems. During his third straight loss 5–1 to the Padres and gave up four home runs, the drama in San Diego continued. "Not the same pitcher that left spring training," Piniella said of Hill's throwing: "Not the same pitcher that left spring training." He was late for his shifts. The catcher was sitting outside on the outside corner, but the balls may have been outside for some of those pitches that were knocked out of the park. He has to continue working. He's not throwing as hard as he should, for whatever reason."

Hill regained confidence in his next three starts, going twenty-one innings and giving up only two earned runs. Hill hit the Braves for 11 strikeouts on June 7, 2007. He was 11–8 with a 3.92 ERA in 32 starts and 183 strikeouts.

As the Cubs were swept in the series, Hill started game 3 of the 2007 National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Chris Young homered on his first pitch of the season and only lasted three innings.

Hill reworked his preparations during spring training in 2008 after some initial issues with his command, but he retained his position in the rotation as the season began. He struggled to get off the season, making five starts, and was 1–0 with a 4.12 ERA, striking out 15 but also walking 18. He walked four of the first six batters he faced against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 2 in his last game against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 2, and was dismissed in the first inning. He was sent back to Triple-A Iowa on May 3 in order to figure out his position.

Hill continued to have control issues in the minors and was forced to suspend with a stifle a few weeks later on May 17. He suffered with various muscle injuries the remainder of the season, making only 13 starts in the minors for Iowa, Daytona, and the Arizona League Cubs, and was 4-7 with a 5.85 ERA and 44 walks. He was a member of the Venezuelan Winter League before playing in nine games (six starts) and was 1–2 on a 6.86 ERA in nine games (six starts), walking 23 while striking out 16.

Hill was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a player who will be announced later on February 2, 2009.

Hill sustained an elbow injury in spring preparation and started the season on the disabled list. He didn't make his Orioles debut until May 16, 2009, going 5+2/3 and winning by a landslide. He played 13 games for Baltimore, a 7.80 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 57+2/3 innings. Hill had a torn labrum in his left shoulder and had been pitching through it all season, according to a report on July 29. He was placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season and underwent surgery to repair the labrum on August 8. Hill was outrighted off the 40 man roster on October 30 and elected free agency on November 3.

Hill signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on January 26, 2010, which included an invitation to spring training. Hill had recovered from his hip surgery and was scheduled to compete for his fifth starter position, according to General Manager John Mozeliak. Hill struggled in spring training, which was exhausting for him; Jaime Garca defeated him in the competition for the fifth starter position.

Hill was drafted by the Memphis Redbirds to record a 4–3 record in 23 games (46 IP) with a 4.30 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He made four starts but was mainly out of the bullpen for the first time in his career. He left St. Louis' contract in June of this year.

Hill signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox on June 30, 2010. He had been assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He played in 19 games for them, six of which were startling, and had a 3–1 record and 3.74 ERA. Hill was called up to the Red Sox big leagues on September 13 and made his debut with them as a relief against the Seattle Mariners the next day, retiring the one batter and recording the victory. He appeared in six games the remainder of the season, with four innings out of the bullpen, knocking out three others, walking one, and leaving no runs out. He was outrighted to the minors at the end of the season and became a free agent on November 6.

On December 16, 2010, the Red Sox re-signed Hill to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Hill was upgraded to a "sidewinder" pitcher in spring practice and outperformed other relievers attempting to make the roster, but he was sent back to Pawtucket to begin the season. He appeared in ten games in the minors, pitching 16 innings, and had a 1.12 ERA with just one save. His deal was then bought by the Red Sox, and he was called up to the majors on May 5.

Hill suffered his left throwing elbow on May 29, and underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct a torn Ulnar collateral ligament ligament. In nine games with the Red Sox in 2011, Hill pitched eight innings, striking out 12, walking three times, and giving up no earned runs. Hill, who was not tenacious, became a free agent on December 12, 2012.

The Red Sox re-signed Hill to a minor-league deal that included an invitation to spring training on December 30, 2011. His recovery progressed ahead of schedule, and he made his first rehab appearance in the minors, with the Greenville Drive on April 7, 2012. He made 16 minor league appearances, five years old, and had a 2.20 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks. On April 27, he rejoined the Red Sox roster for the second time. On June 10, he noticed a new swollenness in his elbow and was put back on the disabled list. He was diagnosed with a strained flexor muscle and didn't return to the roster until September 1. In 2012, he appeared in 25 games for the Red Sox, posting a 1.83 ERA in 19+2/3 innings and 21 strikeouts. He became a free agent on November 30 and was non-tendered.

Hill signed a minor league contract with an invite to big league spring training with the Cleveland Indians on February 7, 2013. Terry Francona, who had been Hill's boss during his time with the Red Sox, was now the boss of Cleveland and was thrilled with his work and his recovery from the injury. On March 11, the Indians purchased his deal and added him to the 40-man roster. He was a relief pitcher on the first day of the roster.

He appeared in a career-high 63 games, 38+2/3 innings, and was 1–2 with a 6.28 ERA in 2013 MLB. While walking 29 batters, he also struck out 51 batters. The stranded rate of his inherited runners was 11.88 percent. He was one of the top inherited runners left stranded at 51. At the end of the season, he became a free agent.

Hill signed a minor league contract to return to the Red Sox on February 9, 2014. The agreement included an invitation to spring training. Hill was delayed to camp due to a family emergency, causing him to fall behind the other relievers in camp. He did not make the opening day roster and was instead sent to Pawtucket, where he had a 3.23 ERA in 25 games.

On July 1, 2014, Hill was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for cash considerations. He appeared in just two games for the Angels, both as part of a doubleheader that was played that day. He allowed a single batter and walked two batters in the first game, but in the second game, he walked the one batter he faced and threw a wild pitch. He was scheduled for service a few days later but without playing in another game, and then released on July 11.

Hill signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on July 17, 2014 and was assigned to the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He appeared in four games for the RailRiders and did not allow a run. On August 5, the Yankees announced him to the major leagues. He was scheduled for deployment on August 29, but he was re-added to the roster on September 2. He appeared in 14 games, totaling 5+13 innings with a 1.69 ERA.

Hill signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 27, 2015, which included an invitation to spring training. Even though he was signed late after camp had started, teammate Matt Williams said they planned to keep him on the team's bullpen. Hill, despite pitching well in exhibition games, did not make the opening day roster and was recalled to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs on April 4. He expressed disappointment with the decision. He appeared in 25 games for the Chiefs, going 21+2/3 innings for a 2–2 record and a 2.91 ERA. He was released by the Nationals on June 24 after exercising the opt out provision in his deal.

Hill was determined to return from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Hill signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball as a starting pitcher on July 28, 2015. He made two starts with the Ducks. He struck out 14 batters in six innings against the Camden Riversharks on August 9, tying the franchise record. He pitched 11 innings for the Ducks over those two seasons, with 21 strikeouts, just three walks, and no runs allowed.

On August 14, 2015, Hill signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox. He made five appearances for Pawtucket and was 32-0 with a 2.78 ERA. Hill was called up from Pawtucket on September 8 and made his first major league appearance since 2009 on September 13, giving up one hit out of seven runs and walking one. Hill pitched a complete game two-hitter before slugging out ten batters in the third straight start on September 25. He was 2–1 with a 1.55 ERA and 36 strikeouts in four starts for the Red Sox.

Hill agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on November 17, 2015. Hill was selected as the fifth starter in spring preparations, but after scheduled starter Sonny Gray was hospitalized with a case of food poisoning, he began on Opening Day. Hill had a 2.25 ERA and a record of 9–3 in 14 starts with the Athletics. Hill was named American League Pitcher of the Month for May 2016, defeating a 5-1 record and 37 strikeouts in six starts.

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Hill and Josh Reddick to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton, and Frankie Montas on August 1, 2016. In a 1–0 game against the San Francisco Giants, he made his Dodger debut on August 24, pitching six scoreless innings and winning the game. Hill pitched seven perfect innings against the Miami Marlins on September 10, before being replaced by a relief pitcher. It was the first time in major league history that a manager had pulled a pitcher that late in the game with a flawless game in reach. He was 3–2 with a 1.83 ERA in six starts for the Dodgers.

Hill started the 2016 National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals by pitching well for three innings before handing Jose Lobaton a three-run home run in the fourth inning of what became a 5–2 loss. In a game the Dodgers eventually won 4–3, he came back to pitch on short rest in game five, pitching 2+2/3 innings. In game three of the 2016 National League Championship Series, Hill allowed just two hits in six innings in the Dodgers' victory over the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs fought the Dodgers in six games to win the series, but not before.

The Dodgers re-signed Hill to a three-year, $48 million contract on December 5, 2016. Hill was left with a blister on his left middle finger, which had bothered him throughout the previous season.

Hill pitched five innings against the San Diego Padres on April 5, 2017, but he left the game with a lingering blister on his finger. Hill was deemed as a victim on the 10-day disabled list two days later, on April 7. Hill was recalled on the 10-day disabled list on April 17 for the second time in nearly 11 days. In July, he returned to the rotation for National League Pitcher of the Month awarding with a 4–0 record, 1.45 ERA, and 40 strikeouts against just 5 walks in 5 starts.

Hill was pitching a flawless game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 23, 2017 until Logan Forsythe's fielding error in the ninth. He stayed in the game for the tenth inning, but Josh Harrison's no-hitter was ended by a walk-off home run by Josh Harrison, the first extra-innings walk-off home run since Harvey Haddix in 1959). This was the first perfect game broken up by a ninth-inning error in MLB history, and Hill became the first pitcher since Lefty Leifield of the 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates to miss a decision despite throwing at least nine innings with one or fewer hits and no walks allowed. He was 12–8 in 25 starts in 2017 with a 3.32 ERA in 25 starts. In one game in the 2017 NLDS, Hill allowed two runs in four innings. In one run in the 2017 NLCS, he limited the Cubs to three hits in five innings, instead of eight. He made two runs on seven hits in 8+223 innings with 12 strikeouts, in two starts in the 2017 World Series.

Hill was on the disabled list twice in the first two months of the 2018 season due to persistent blister pains in his pitching hand. In 25 appearances (24 starts), he was 11–5 with a 3.66 ERA in 25 appearances (24 starts).

Hill started in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series for the Dodgers and pitched through six innings against the Boston Red Sox, giving up only one hit and throwing 91 pitches. Since striking out Eduardo Nunez, he was then controversially suspended from the game by manager Dave Roberts. Hill's departure from the game resulted in an eventual 9-6 loss by the Dodgers, who lost the series the following weekend.

Hill sustained a left forearm strain in a game on June 19 and was placed on the disabled list, beginning the season in the Dodgers' rotation. He rejoined the team in September and finished the season 4–1 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts. He was given the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming his arm pains.

Hill signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins on December 31, 2019.

Hill made his Twins debut on July 29, 2020. Hill was in 8 games with the Minnesota Twins, compiling a 2–2 record with 3.03 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 38+223 innings pitched.

Hill signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on February 17, 2021. For May, Hill was named American League Pitcher of the Month. Hill had a 6-4 record and 3.87 ERA in 19 starts for the Rays, with 91 strikeouts in 95+13 innings.

Hill was traded by the New York Mets to Tommy Hunter in exchange for minor league catcher Matt Dyer on July 23, 2021.

Hill signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox on December 1, 2021. He began the season as part of Boston's rotation. Following the death of his father, Hill spent several days on the bereavement list in late April. From May 6 to May 14, he was on the COVID-related wounded list. Following a start at Wrigley Field, Hill was rushed to the hospital on July 2 due to a left knee injury. On August 1, he rejoined the team.

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