The Kansas City Royals signed Hill, a 45-year-old left-hander, to a minor league contract

Rich Hill hasn't given up on his dream of competing in the big leagues.

The 45-year-old left pitcher, who began his professional baseball career in 1999, signed a minor league contract with the Royals on Tuesday. Hill will report to the team's spring training base in Crisples, Arizona, and is expected to join the triple-A affiliate Omaha Storm Chasers soon.

Hill, who played in the major leagues last season, was designated in September after playing four games in the Red Sox bullpen. Shortly before that, he coached his son Brice's Little League team in Milton, Massachusetts.

Royals assistant general manager Scott Sharp revealed that the team's pitching performance consultant, Dave Wallace, facilitated the signing.

"He's been keeping his pitching practice and says he's feeling good," Sharpe said, "and we actually contacted him last year. At the time, he wanted to get a clearer chance in the big leagues, so this year we communicated again and made it clear that 'we can give a start in triple-A, but we can't guarantee a place in the big leagues'. And he's still eager to keep pitching, and we think it's a win-win. "

Hill, who has 386 major league appearances and 20 consecutive MLB appearances, proved his worth last fall. In the World Baseball Top 12 Super Round in Tokyo in November, he played four games for the United States against Japan without conceding points, hitting only one hit and dishing out five strikeouts.

"I really admire Rich," said Royals coach Matt Quatraro, "who worked with the Rays for a year. His enthusiasm for pitching and willingness to start afresh from triple-A is admirable. The most prominent thing is his competitive instinct – no one is more hungry for victory than him, no one is more combative. "

Hill, who joined the major leagues with the Cubs in 2005, has 1,428 strikeouts on 1,409 innings pitched in his career and has a 4.01 defense rate. If he returns to the major leagues for the Royals, he will be tied with Edwin Jackson for the second player in history to play for 14 MLB teams.

Rings starting rotation members Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo have both played alongside Hill.

"I always like to ask him for experience," said Wacha, who worked together with the Rays in 2021, the Red Sox in 2022 and the Padres in 2023, "to discuss ball grips and pitching strategies." He's a pitcher who really loves the game and enjoys the competition, and I'm glad he's still continuing his legacy. "

Lugo was linked to Hill at the 2021 Metropolitauts: "He was a role model in the dressing room and was happy to share his experience of different approaches to the ball. Having him by his side is always full of energy. "

Sharp said he would be willing to take on any role if Hill were to move up to the big leagues. Lugo welcomes this: "He is good at coaching young players and transmitting energy on a daily basis like Salvador Perez. "