44-year-old pitcher explains decision to join Red Sox for fourth time

Rich Hill is scheduled to make his 2024 debut with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on Friday in anticipation of potentially being called up to the majors this season.

If the 44-year-old Hill makes his way to Boston before the campaign ends, he'll become the oldest active player in baseball for the third straight season.

The soft-throwing southpaw recently explained to Rob Bradford of the "Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast" how he heard about the Red Sox's interest in yet another reunion with him.

"I mean, realistically, obviously, it would be before Sept. 1 to be able to have an opportunity to play and be on that postseason roster," Hill said regarding joining the big-league club. "I think I have plenty of experience of pitching in the postseason and understanding what it takes to pitch environment. Kind of making that situation as attainable as possible and bringing a level of just understanding and experience in that situation. And that's something that's certainly one of the driving forces behind coming back and pitching."

Hill signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Aug. 15 to officially begin his fourth stint with the organization.

The Boston native was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 36th round of the 1999 MLB Draft and by the Anaheim Angels in the seventh round in 2001 but declined to sign. Hill finally inked a deal with the Chicago Cubs after being a fourth-round selection in 2002.

He debuted with the Cubs in June 2005 and has pitched for 13 different MLB teams across his 19 big-league seasons. The Red Sox are the only team he's had multiple tenures with, let alone four.

Hill pitched three seasons out of the team's bullpen from 2010-12, then made four appearances (all starts) with Boston in 2015 and was in the middle of the squad's rotation in 2022 with 26 starts. He went 8-7 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.30 WHIP during his third run with the Red Sox in 2022.

Hill signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December 2022 and was traded to the San Diego Padres last August. The Padres became his 13th team , putting the University of Michigan product one away from the MLB record.

With seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz's retirement last offseason, Hill has the chance to be the only person in MLB this season born in 1980.

The lanky lefty said in March that he was " definitely interested " in returning to Beantown. The team could certainly use his experience, as veteran southpaw James Paxton recently went on the injured list with a calf issue. The Red Sox (67-59) are still in the playoff hunt, just 3.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins for the third and final AL wild-card berth.

Hill will look to not only return to the big leagues in September but also help Boston return to the postseason for the first time since 2021.