Flashback to 2020, an interesting time for a bunch of different reasons. The Minnesota Twins, along with the rest of the MLB participated in a truncated 60-game season, where they went 36-24, but never had a winning streak longer than six games. That pitching staff had some interesting names on it… including 40-year-old Rich Hill.

Royals sign former Minnesota Twins starter Rich Hill

Most professional baseball players don’t make it into their mid-30s, before leaving the game. Not Hill. Five years after what we thought was a last hoorah in Minnesota, the former 2002 4th round pick out of Michigan is signing with his 14th MLB team. This time it’s a minor league deal with the 45-year-old’s 14th MLB organization, the Kansas City Royals.

We have signed LHP Rich Hill to a minor league contract. He will report to Surprise and is expected to join Omaha (AAA) soon.

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 13, 2025

Last season Rich Hill returned to Boston. He pitched just 3 2/3 innings at the major league level. It was his sixth season with the Red Sox though. He waited for an opportunity to present itself in 2025, and now the Kansas City Royals have come calling.

Related: What is Fueling This Minnesota Twins Hot Streak?

Hill has not pitched professionally since the 5 2/3 innings he threw for the Boston Red Sox organization last season, between Triple-A and the big leagues. While the deal is a minor league one, it stands to reason that the now 45-year-old left-hander will get his shot back in the MLB very soon, or this deal doesn’t get done.

In 2023 Hill pitched 146 1/3 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. His 4.76 ERA (4.43 FIP) with Pittsburgh landed him in San Diego for the stretch run. He flopped to the tune of an 8.23 ERA (6.77 FIP) in 27 1/3 innings, however.

Rich Hill, 70mph Breaking Ball (home plate view/tail).

In case you were wondering what 20 inches of break looks like. pic.twitter.com/qlSxHVFqfl

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 28, 2021

Hill has never been a high velocity arm. As a rookie, he threw 90 mph. Last year with the Red Sox, he averaged 87.6 mph on his fastball. Rich Hill is a spin doctor, who uses his curveball 38.1% of the time over the course of his career.

Where does Hill fit for the Royals?

It remains to be seen how many turns Hill will take in Omaha, but it’s very plausible the Twins could see him at some point this season. The Minnesota Twins are set to play against the division rival Royals in 10 days, but then they won’t see them again until early-August.

It seems unlikely that Kansas City would insert Rich Hill into the starting rotation. Their group of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans, and Michael Lorenzen have each made all of their starts. Kansas City is also 25-18, good for second in the AL Central Division.

Related: Big Time MLB Insider Suggests MN Twins Could Consider Trading… Byron Buxton

The bullpen may present an opportunity though, and Hill brings a left-handed presence to the group. Southpaw Angel Zerpa has thrown 15 innings for Kansas City and owns a gaudy 7.20 ERA (6.18 FIP). That’s not a high bar for Hill to clear, and he brings the veteran presence with him.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the Royals deem Hill ready to compete. If they do, Hill could have runway to stick if things work out. He would be nearly 10 years older than every teammate with Mark Canha (36) being the current elder statesman.

Rich Hill being considered by Minnesota Twins

Calling Rich Hill an old friend is putting things directly. At 44 years old, Hill is definitely old for a Major League Baseball player. Hill also pitched for Minnesota in 2020, making him a friend. He is a high-quality veteran presence, and that continues allowing him these opportunities. Recently holding a showcase to highlight where he’s at, the man affectionately known through his endearing nickname is looking to pitch in the big leagues down the stretch.

#MNTwins are in contact with LHP Rich Hill, 44, who threw today for scouts and hopes to pitch for a contender down the stretch. https://t.co/eOo7GMkvhb

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 9, 2024

During the truncated 2020 season, Hill owned a 3.03 ERA for Minnesota across eight starts. He’s not still a strikeout-per-inning pitcher, but posted a competent 4.76 ERA for Pittsburgh across 119 innings last year. Hill would unquestionably be at the bottom of Minnesota’s rotation. He could eat innings similar to Dallas Keuchel a season ago. It would give Zebby Matthews additional time to prove readiness at Triple-A as well. Hill is also a southpaw, which is something Minnesota doesn’t have in the rotation.

Related: Minnesota Twins are Dangerously Close to Being the Best Team in the American League

Hill threw more than 100 pitches during his showcase. While he doesn’t still possess elite stuff, he has shown durability while aging. Multiple Twins pitchers spoke glowingly of Hill during his first stint with the club as well. He can be a strong leader and mentor, which has a clubhouse aspect during a postseason run. Hill has played for 13 teams over his 19 year career. A reunion with Minnesota would make the Twins just the fourth team he has pitched multiple seasons for.

Related: Griffin Jax Looking to get Back Into Minnesota Twins Starting Rotation?

In a season that will test a team’s depth in every way possible, injuries are throwing another obstacle at the Minnesota Twins‘ starting rotation. Luckily, pitchers around the organization are stepping up and filling the holes. (editor’s note: “that’s what she said”)

INJURIES PLAGUE THE ROTATION

Jake Odorizzi has yet to make his 2020 season debut, due to a right intercostal strain. The All-Star from last season is getting closer and closer to being healthy.

Jake Odorizzi is going to the IL with what Rocco Baldelli describes as upper back soreness.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 23, 2020

Homer Bailey was solid in his Twins debut, and definitely earned the win. But his season is on hold after being diagnosed with right bicep tendonitis. He threw five innings, giving up just four hits and two runs but landed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday.

The #MNTwins just placed Homer Bailey on the 10-day IL with right biceps tendinitis. Sean Poppen recalled.

Recall that today was Bailey’s original start date but he was originally pushed back a day before this IL announcement.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 2, 2020

Rich Hill is the most recent starting come up injured. After a stellar Twins debut where he tossed five shutout innings, the 40-year-old found his way on the IL. His first start of the season was already pushed back to give him a bit more time to recover from that offseason surgery. And now, his next start is delayed due to left shoulder fatigue.

Rich Hill is going to the 10-day IL with shoulder fatigue. No corresponding move announced.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 4, 2020

All three of these injuries would seem to put a damper on this season and be costly for just about every team. However, the Twins have shown that their pitching staff is deep and talented.

THE DEPTH

All was looking good for the Twins in this condensed season. They had a deep starting rotation that consisted of Berrios, Odorizzi, Hill, Maeda and Bailey with Pineda returning mid-season. However, the rotation hasn’t looked anything like they’d thought.

Randy Dobnak jumped into the rotation and has blown past expectations. After seeing him make a playoff start in the Bronx last season, he has pitched his way to a 1.00 ERA in two starts this season. He has helped fill the void left by Odo.

Maeda has been the lone consistent piece of the rotation so far. Berrios has struggled in his first two starts of the season. Maeda is 2-0 for the Twins with an ERA of just 1.64. Berrios is sitting at 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA.

TWINS BULLPEN SAVING THE DAY

Luckily enough, the Twins bullpen has been dominant early in this condensed season. With the rotation so uncertain, the bullpen is stepping up to pick up the slack.

Guys like Romo, Rogers and Duffey are proven relievers Twins’ fans knew they could trust coming into this season. The thing about this bullpen is it goes a lot deeper than that.

Cody Stashak has taken a huge step in his game and is quickly becoming a top reliever in this bullpen. Manager Rocco Baldelli has put trust into Stashak and Stashak shows he deserves it.

Newly acquired reliever Tyler Clippard has stepped in and been huge for the Twins. He even pitched as an opener against his former team and threw two shutout innings. Matt Wisler is a name to keep your eye on too. He has impressed many in 5 and two-thirds shutout innings he’s pitched so far.

The Twins seem like they have been able to cope with these injuries so far. Odorizzi will return soon and hopefully we see the same dominance he displayed last season. Once this rotation is back and healthy and Pineda returns from suspension, the Twins will be even more dangerous.

AJ Condon | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Twins improved their record to 4-1 Wednesday night, with a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, to complete the 2-game sweep! This team just knows how to win and I can’t get enough of it. Rich Hill dominating his debut/comeback helps…

Rich Hill > Daniel Ponce de Leon

Twins SP Rich Hill was dominant in his first outing as a Minnesota Twin. It was the second night in a row that a Twins starting pitcher debuted. Hill pitched 5 innings and only gave up 2 hits. If the season would have started on time, Hill would have found himself on the IL while recovering from left elbow surgery. Instead, he looked like an important piece to the shortened 2020 season, tonight.

Cardinals SP Daniel Ponce De Leon can’t say the same. He LABORED through his start, SLOWLY working to one of the weirdest 3.2 IP stat lines in the history of baseball.

Daniel Ponce de Leon's pitching line from tonight has to be one o the more bizarre ones I've seen.

Allowed only 2 hits in 3 2/3 innings, struck out 8, but was pulled after his pitch count ran up to 85. pic.twitter.com/Rdlh2vEFaQ

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 30, 2020

Just One Bomba?

The Twins starting the scoring early (as they usually do) when Nelson Cruz hit a double to the right center, driving in Luis Arraez.

It wouldn’t be a Twins game without a Bomba, though, which was provided by Eddie Rosario, tonight. It was his first of the year and I’m pretty sure this one landed in Brooklyn Park.

Eddie Rosario's first home run of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/yJfNjBwk7l

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) July 30, 2020

The Twins bullpen shut things down once again tonight as Sergio Romo, Tyler Duffey, Tyler Clippard, and Taylor Rogers all pitched scoreless innings. This is starting to look like the normal routine for Baldelli & Co. Our very own Seth Toupal has come up with a new motto for the Twins.

Bombas, Bullpen, Win, repeat

— Gandalf the Toups (@sethtoups) July 29, 2020

12 batters, 12 outs, 7 strikeouts for our ‘pen! ????@TheDoof13 1 IP, 3 Ks@SergioRomo54 1 IP, 1 K@TylerClippard 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K@trogers34 1 IP, 2 Ks #TwinsWin | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/d53TjKdoeC

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 30, 2020

The Best

The Minnesota Twins debuted their new powder-blue retro uniforms tonight. Let me just say, Bombas look a hell of a lot better in that blue. I am in love with these uniforms, to the point where I am strongly contemplating buying every player’s jersey. If you missed the game tonight, here is a look at the new threads.

How about some new lock screens? #WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/yP7T6ZNoCX

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 29, 2020

The Worst

Miguel Sano is now just 1-14 on the season. I get that it is early, but with everyone else on the squad picking up where they left off, it makes it look that much worse. One thing I do know: if the Twins want to win their 3rd World Series, they are going to need Sano to figure things out.

The Twins kick off a pivotal early season series against the Cleveland Indians tomorrow night at 6:07 pm CT. The series kicks off with a dynamite pitching matchup: Jose Berrios (0-0) 11.25 ERA faces off against Shane Bieber (1-0) 0.00 ERA.

Cameron Thomson | Minnesota Sports Fan

I was excited about the Minnesota Twins’ acquisition of LHP Rich Hill, for 2020. He brings stability to the back-end of a starting rotation that suddenly seems packed with depth. Hill is yet to throw a pitch for the Twins, but after what he told WEEI Radio recently, he might be my new favorite player, already.

Hill was asked about the legitimacy of a 2020 World Series Champion, who triumphs over a 60-game season, instead of 162. Remember, Hill played on the Dodger team that fell to the cheating Houston Astros back in 2017. He held back a bit on his answer, but you’ll have no issues reading between the lines

“We can look back to a couple of years ago, was that a World Series? Honestly. I was there. The more you hear about it … Whatever. It is what it is… What I’m saying, if we’re going to compare that, if we’re going to compare this 60-game season and say it’s not a championship season, well, OK. I have a different feeling about that.

Rich Hill – WEEI Radio

I Love Rich Hill

I’d like this quote printed out, shredded, minced and boiled into a liquid I can inject directly into my veins. If 2017’s World Series still counts for the Astros, then you can be damn-well sure that 2020 will go into the books without an asterisk, as well (hopefully for the Minnesota Twins).

Who knows what will happen over the next six months, but as long as a team is crowned when it’s over, they’ll be more of a champion than the 2017 Houston Astros ever were. Hill is a gentleman, though, and didn’t want to stir up anymore controversy. He just wants everyone to know, that the 2020 season definitely matters to players around the league, himself included.

And I want Rich Hill to know, that he matters to me. I don’t buy jerseys anymore but I might make an exception tonight…

“I brought it up because it was to the case and point of the 60-game season not being a championship season, and I fully, 100 percent think it is. I’m looking forward to having a great year.”

Rich Hill – WEEI Radio

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Source: #MNTwins to sign pitchers Homer Bailey and Rich Hill.

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) December 31, 2019

Source: Hill deal is $3m guarantee with $9.5 in performance bonuses that max out with 75 innings pitched or 15 GS https://t.co/vpDMZBYsRW

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 31, 2019

Source: Homer Bailey's deal is one year for $7 million. Also includes performance bonuses if he reaches 180 innings. #MNTwins

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) December 31, 2019

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This one is fresh off the Twitter press, fam! The Minnesota Twins have finally jumped head, feet, ass….. actually they are still dry-first into the free agency pool. 33-year-old Homer Bailey and 39-year-old Rich Hill are now starting pitchers for the Minnesota Twins, according to sources through Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

Unfortunately for Twins fans who want to win playoff games… these moves hopefully will not matter. Homer Bailey is a 5th-ish starter, who hopefully won’t see the mound to start a playoff game. Rich Hill, on the other hand, has been REALLY good even though he could be living in a Seniors Home during the offseason. Also, he’s out for the first two months dealing with an injury… which makes sense being he is an old man and that’s what happens. His wife is also a firecracker who likes to get arrested and kicked out of football stadiums.

I don’t want to jump to conclusions and say this is all the Twins front office will do with the starting rotation for 2020. I really hope these are depth moves, knowing you’ll need plenty of that as you grind through a 162-game season. I’m not even going to go down the road to the contrary……….. I'[m just going to pray this isn’t it.

Because, Homer Bailey and Rich Hill definitely are not it, fam.

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Homer Bailey Career Stats (via Baseball-Reference)

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Rich Hill Career Stats (via Baseball-Reference)

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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