Earlier this year, Justin Verlander became the second man to throw a pitch in 21 different seasons this century before announcing his retirement effective at the conclusion of the MLB season.
The only other man to pitch 21 seasons this century might not be done.
Rich Hill, 46, said in a new interview that he isn’t officially retired and will attempt to begin a throwing program this offseason.
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”If it does [happen], great,” Hill told ESPN’s Buster Olney on the Baseball Tonight podcast. “If it doesn’t, I don’t have to ask the question, what if?”
Hill signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals in 2025 and ultimately started two games for them — 20 years after he debuted with the Chicago Cubs. He’s been a free agent since the Royals designated him for assignment.
Hill, who turns 47 in March, said he’s considering an unusual reinvention.
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“Taylor Rogers up in Toronto has given me hope to come back as a submariner,” Hill said.
Rogers, 35, throws an 83.2-mph fastball that is effective because of his unusual arm angle. He’s among the most durable and effective relievers in baseball — a role that could allow Hill to extend his career if he pulls it off.
Hill told Olney his plan is to “build up over the offseason and get on a throwing program again, get back into the gym and continue to keep, you know, working and … not getting back to where I was, but trying to find a new spot or a new normal of where I can help a team out of the bullpen or possibly start.”
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Hill is 90-76 with a 4.02 ERA in 388 major league games with the Cubs, Royals, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox.
A Massachusetts native, Hill has signed with his hometown Red Sox on six separate occasions. With a little luck, he can make it seven.
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