Rich Hill career timeline: How veteran pitcher can tie Edwin Jackson's MLB record for most teams played

Rich Hill is set to make his return to the majors soon, as the Royals have called up the veteran to join their major league team.

Hill has become a bit of a novelty in his career, as the lefty pitcher has played for 13 different teams since 2005. When he makes it 14 with the Royals, it will tie Edwin Jackson for the all-time MLB record.

As Hill makes his return to the majors, here's a breakdown of his career timeline thus far.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Rich Hill career timeline

Chicago Cubs: 2005-2008

Hill was drafted by the Cubs in the 2002 MLB draft, then made his major league debut at 25 years old with the Cubs in 2005. He went on to spend the next four years with Chicago, his longest consecutive stretch playing for one team. While with the Cubs, Hill totaled 64 games with a 4.37 ERA, and had his best season of the four in 2007.

Baltimore Orioles: 2009

The Cubs traded Hill to the Orioles, but Hill struggled mightily in Baltimore, pitching to a 7.80 ERA in 14 games. It was the highest ERA for a single season that Hill's had in his career. 

Boston Red Sox: 2010-2012

Hill spent the 2010 Spring Training with the Cardinals, but never got into a game for St. Louis. Instead, he signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and appeared for six games for Boston before the season ended without allowing a run.

Hill returned to Boston in 2011, when he appeared in nine scoreless games before needing to undergo Tommy John surgery. He then re-signed with the Red Sox in the offseason and pitched another 25 games for Boston as a reliever in 2012, producing a stellar 1.83 ERA.

SN's MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule

Cleveland Indians: 2013

Hill's success in 2012 earned him a 2013 minor-league deal with Cleveland, but he was unable to continue his success. In a career-high 63 games and 38,2 innings, Hill totaled a 6.28 ERA.

Los Angeles Angels/NewYork Yankees: 2014

While Hill spent the 2014 Spring training in Boston, he didn't make the team and was traded to the Angels in July. After two games in which he failed to record a single out with Los Angeles, Hill was put DFA'd by the team, leading to a minor-league deal with the Yankees.

Hill made his Yankees debut in August and spent most of the rest of the season with the team. He pitched in 14 total games as a reliever, throwing just 5.1 innings but producing a 1.69 ERA.

Long Island Ducks/Boston Red Sox: 2015

After spending the first few months of the season in the Nationals' minor league system, Hill opted out of his contract and signed with the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks, intending to return to being a starting pitcher. Hill started two games for the Ducks before signing with the Red Sox once again, and he got to start four games for Boston before the season ended.

Oakland Athletics: 2016

Hill's gamble continued to pay off in 2016, when he signed a major-league contract with the Athletics and made the opening day roster for the first time since his days with the Cubs, even starting Opening Day. He had a really strong first half of the year, starting 14 games and going 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, allowing Oakland to trade him to the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers: 2016-2019

At the 2016 trade deadline, the Dodgers traded Frankie Montas, Grant Holmes and Jharel Cotton for Hill and Josh Reddick. That began a three-and-a-half-year stint for Hill in Los Angeles, including a three-year, $48 million contract, as this is where Hill made his biggest marks.

In his time with the Dodgers, Hill started 68 games with one relief appearance and produced a 3.16 ERA for a team that won the National League twice. From 2016 to 2019, Hill made 12 of his 13 career playoff appearances, as he pitched to a 2.70 ERA over 50 playoff innings for Los Angeles.

MORE: Where Rich Hill ranks among the oldest players in MLB history

Minnesota Twins: 2020

Despite being 39 years old, Hill kept his career going in 2020 thanks to a 2.45 ERA the year prior. He signed a one-year deal with the Twins and had a solid shortened season, totaling a 3.03 ERA in eight starts. 

Tampa Bay Rays/New York Mets: 2021

Hill continued his stretch of one-year deals in 2021, when he signed with the Rays in the offseason, but Tampa Bay traded him to the Mets at the deadline. Hill was once again solid across the board, as he had very similar ERAs in both spots, resulting in a 3.86 ERA over 32 games.

Boston Red Sox: 2022

Hill's third stint with the Red Sox came in 2022, when he signed a one-year deal with Boston to join the team's rotation. While his ERA ended the year over 4.00 for the first time since 2013, he was still solid and reliable for the Red Sox rotation.

Pittsburgh Pirates/San Diego Padres: 2023

Hill signed another one-year deal, this time with the Pirates, and he produced a 4.76 ERA with the Pirates ahead of a trade to the Padres. However, Hill struggled with the Padres, as his 8.23 ERA over 10 games in San Diego is his highest with any team.

Boston Red Sox: 2024

The fourth and perhaps final time Hill joined the Red Sox was in 2024, when Boston added him in August to assist with a struggling bullpen. He only appeared in four games that year, allowing just two runs in 3.2 innings.  

Kansas City Royals: 2025

Determined to continue his career, Hill signed a minor-league deal with the Royals in May, and is set to make his Kansas City debut in July. When he does, Hill will have played for his 14th team, tying Edwin Jackson for the most in major league history.

MORE: Players' Association spin on MLB salary cap easily disproven by growth, success of other leagues

Rich Hill stats

Here's a look at Rich Hill's stats by team:

How old is Rich Hill?

Rich Hill is 45 years old, making him the oldest player currently in the major leagues. However, he is still 15 years away from the all-time mark, and he doesn't even make the top 10 oldest players in MLB history.

Rich Hill career earnings

Rich Hill has made just under $80 million in his career, according to Spotrac, and more than half of that came in one $48 million contract. While he has played for 14 teams over 20 years, a lot of Hill's contracts were minor-league deals.