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45-Year-Old MLB Veteran Signs With Record 14th Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated May 13, 2025 4:40 PM ET

Rich Hill, the 45-year-old veteran pitcher, has made headlines throughout his career for the sheer number of MLB teams he has played for.

Beginning his career in 2005 with the Chicago Cubs, Hill spent four years in the North Side. He then played for the Orioles, Red Sox, Guardians, Angels, Yankees, Red Sox again, Athletics, Dodgers, Twins, Mets, Rays, Red Sox again, Padres, Pirates and then the Red Sox for a fourth time in 2024.

Hill isn't done yet, as he recently made an announcement on a possibly final encore.

Royals have signed 45-year-old lefty Rich Hill to a Minor League contract

If he pitches for the big league team, he'll tie Edwin Jackson's MLB record by playing for his 14th team pic.twitter.com/Y0dv3QzJ1M
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 13, 2025

The Royals announced that they signed Rich Hill to a minor-league contract, which would give Hill the opportunity to pitch for his 14th team and tie Edwin Jackson's record.

Hill would also become the oldest pitcher to record an appearance since Bartolo Colon made his final start in September 2018 at 45 years and 121 days old.

Hill will report to the club's spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona but head to Triple-A Omaha.

Unsurprisingly, Hill would become the oldest active player in the majors once again, handily surpassing 42-year-old Justin Verlander in age.

Hill's last full season was in 2023, where he recorded a 5.41 ERA, including an 8.23 ERA with the Padres that preceded a midseason trade to the Pirates.

It remains unclear whether the Royals intend to promote Hill any time soon or whether Hill will await an opening on the big league roster. Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha compose a formidable rotation, and Noah Cameron (Royals No. 5 prospect) eagerly awaits an opportunity in Triple-A.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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