Ex-Cubs pitcher surprisingly available after short stint with Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox recently took a chance on 44-year-old pitcher Rich Hill.

The veteran lefty was looking for another opportunity to pitch at the big league level after spending the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. He was hoping to pitch in the second half of the season and held a showcase for interested parties this summer.

Hill ultimately ended up signing with the Red Sox, but he didn't last long with the club as he reportedly was designated for assignment on Friday, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"Rich Hill, 44, who came back to pitch four games for the Boston Red Sox this season,  is designated for assignment," Nightengale said.

Hill began his big league career as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by Chicago from the University of Michigan.

He worked his way through the Cubs' farm system and eventually made his big league debut in 2005. Hill spent the first four seasons of his big league career as a member of the Cubs. Over that stretch, he appeared in 64 total games and made 57 starts. He tallied a 4.37 ERA and 309-to-137 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 337 2/3 innings pitched.

It's unclear if he will look to continue his big-league career at this point. It wouldn't be shocking to see him try to latch on with a contender for one more playoff run, but he is toward the end of his Major League Baseball career.

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