Rich Hill may have finally reached the end of the line in what’s been one of the most resilient and winding careers in modern baseball. The veteran left-hander, who’s pitched for more teams than most players see in a lifetime, hinted that his playing days might be behind him - though he didn’t officially use the “R” word.
Appearing on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Hill said, “I don’t have any plans on playing next year.” And while that’s not quite a retirement announcement, it sure sounds like the 45-year-old southpaw is ready to close the book on his time on the mound.
Hill’s most recent big-league action came in 2025, when he made two appearances for the Kansas City Royals. That capped off a remarkable 21-season MLB career that spanned over two decades and included stops with a jaw-dropping 13 different teams. From Boston to Los Angeles, Chicago to Cleveland, and just about everywhere in between, Hill carved out a role as one of the game’s most enduring and adaptable pitchers.
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers. Hill threw 1,418 innings in the majors, racking up 1,432 strikeouts with a career ERA of 4.02.
Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re a testament to longevity, adaptability, and a whole lot of grit. He wasn’t a flamethrower.
He didn’t rely on overpowering stuff. But Hill had a curveball that aged like fine wine and a competitive edge that never dulled.
His most frequent home was Boston, where he made 74 appearances and posted a 3.34 ERA - his best mark with any team he spent significant time with. His time with the Dodgers wasn’t far behind: 69 appearances, a 3.16 ERA, and a key role in several postseason runs. He also logged 64 games with the Cubs (4.37 ERA) and 63 with Cleveland (6.28 ERA), the team he originally debuted with in 2005.
Drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round back in 2002 out of the University of Michigan, Hill’s path to a two-decade MLB career was anything but straightforward. He battled injuries, reinvented himself multiple times, and kept finding ways to contribute - whether as a starter, a swingman, or a veteran presence in the clubhouse.
And even now, as he approaches his 46th birthday in March, Hill isn’t stepping away from the game entirely. “I’m looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor,” he said on the podcast. “I enjoy the work aspect of whatever it might be that’s next.”
That mindset - the drive to keep pushing, to stay connected to the game, to contribute in any way possible - is exactly what defined Hill’s playing career. He’s already thinking like a guy who could transition into coaching, front office work, or player development. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a guy with his experience and perspective around young pitchers?
Hill’s story is one of perseverance. He didn’t just hang around - he competed.
Well into his 40s, he found ways to get big-league hitters out, even as the game around him got younger, faster, and more power-driven. In an era where careers often burn out quickly, Hill’s burned steady and bright for more than two decades.
If this is indeed the end, it’s been a remarkable ride. But with Rich Hill, you never quite know.
He’s defied expectations before - and if he ever decided to take the mound again, you’d almost believe he could still get outs. For now, though, it looks like one of the game’s great journeymen is ready for his next chapter - and baseball will be better for keeping him around in any capacity.