Here’s what Matt Quatraro said about Rich Hill, who will start Tuesday for Royals
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals will start 45-year-old Rich Hill Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.
- Hill joins Kansas City after 11 Triple-A starts with 61 strikeouts over 50 innings.
- Hill becomes a Royal without open roster spots, prompting expected roster moves.
Baseball Reference’s game “Immaculate Grid” has been a hit with baseball fans who love the history of the sport.
The objective is finding a player who played for two specific teams. It can be a difficult task, but will be a little easier when the Royals are part of the game.
That’s because Kansas City is calling up 45-year-old left-hander Rich Hill from Triple-A Omaha to start Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs..
Royals manager Matt Quatraro confirmed Monday night that Hill would make the start. Inside the Royals’ clubhouse at Wrigley Field, a locker stall with Hill’s name sat ready for the veteran pitcher’s arrival.
The Royals don’t have an open spot on their 40-man roster or active 26-man roster, so one or more moves were expected to be made when the Royals officially bring up Hill.
The team made the following moves Tuesday afternoon: right-handed pitcher Andrew Hoffman was optioned to Omaha and outfielder Tyler Gentry was designated for assignment.
Hill, who signed a minor-league contract with the Royals in May, had a 4-4 record in 11 starts with Triple-A Omaha with a 5.22 ERA. He struck out 61 in 50 innings.
“He’s had a couple ups and downs performance-wise, but more so when he’s locating, he’s been really good,” Quatraro said. “He throws a ton of strikes. He’s very athletic. Keeps himself in great shape. He can move around the mound well, he can change arm angles. So everything that he’s always done, he’s still capable of doing.”
The Royals are without starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen, who are on the injured list.
Hill’s long MLB history
Hill will be returning to the place where he made his first big-league appearance. During the Cubs’ loss to the Marlins (then known as the Florida Marlins) on June 15, 2005, Hill came on as a relief pitcher in the sixth inning at Wrigley Field.
After four years with the Cubs, Hill played in 2009 with the Orioles, then pitched for the Red Sox for three years. After a 2013 stint with Cleveland, Hill split the 2014 season with the Angels and Yankees before returning to Boston the following season.
In 2016, Hill pitched for the Oakland A’s but was traded to the Dodgers during the season. He was with L.A. through the 2019 season. After pitching for the Twins in 2020, Hill split the 2021 season with the Rays and Mets.
In 2022, he went back to the Red Sox, then pitched with the Padres and Pirates the following year and returned once again to Boston in 2024.
Hill pitched just 3 2/3 innings with the Red Sox a year ago with a 4.91 ERA.
On Tuesday, Hill will join his 14th team, the Royals, and be tasked with stopping the Cubs, the club with which he made his debut.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM.
