Veteran left-hander Rich Hill made his return to Major League Baseball on Tuesday night, stepping onto the mound as the oldest active player in the league. The 45-year-old pitcher started for the Kansas City Royals against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Though the game didn’t go in his favour, Hill’s performance showed his passion and determination to keep competing.
A Tough Start for Hill in Royals Debut
In his first MLB game since last September, Hill allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. He threw 90 pitches, with 55 of them going for strikes. He walked two and struck out one. Despite the Royals’ 6-0 loss to the Cubs, Hill’s outing had moments of promise.
Hill faced trouble in the second inning, throwing 31 pitches and giving up two unearned runs due to defensive errors by the Royals. Manager Matt Quatraro praised Hill’s effort, saying, “He battled his butt off out there… We didn’t play tight enough behind him.”
Defensive Errors Cost Royals Early
Chicago capitalized on Kansas City’s mistakes. Third baseman Nick Loftin dropped a potential double-play ball. Later, first baseman Salvador Perez missed a return throw that could have ended the inning. The Cubs took advantage, with Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner driving in runs.
Despite these hiccups, Hill managed to settle in. He retired eight of the next nine batters before giving up an RBI double to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the fifth inning.
Royals Call Hill Back to Fill in for Lorenzen
Hill was brought up from Triple-A Omaha just before the game. He was signed by the Royals in May and went 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine minor league starts. He’s currently filling in for Michael Lorenzen, who is out with an oblique injury. Hill’s next start hasn’t been announced yet.
Though the Cubs stole four bases off him, including a double steal in the second inning, Hill remained positive after the game: “I felt like the ball came out of my hand the way I wanted to.”
Oldest Active Player in MLB and Royals History
At 45 years and 133 days, Rich Hill is now the oldest player in the majors and the oldest in Royals history. He surpassed Hall-of-Famer Gaylord Perry, who briefly played for Kansas City at the same age in 1983.
This game also marked Hill’s return to Wrigley Field, where he first debuted with the Cubs back in 2005. Since then, he has played for 14 different MLB teams, tying Edwin Jackson’s all-time record.
A Veteran Career Full of Highlights
Hill, a Boston native, started his career nearly 20 years ago. He has pitched in 368 MLB games and holds a 90–74 career record with a 4.01 ERA. His time with the Los Angeles Dodgers was particularly memorable, where he started 11 postseason games, including three in the World Series.
Though Hill didn’t attend spring training, he stayed ready at home in Massachusetts. “It’s easy to say you love the game,” he said, “but when you know you have more to give, it’s tough to walk away.”
Rich Hill’s return to the major leagues at age 45 is more than just a stat—it’s a story of grit, love for the game, and unwavering determination. Even in a tough outing, Hill showed that experience and heart still matter on the field.
As the oldest active player in MLB and a record-setter for the Royals, his journey continues to inspire fans and young players alike. Whether he gets another start or not, Hill has already proven that passion doesn’t age.
