Former Dodger Signs Minor League Contract With American League Contender

Wealthy Hill is nicely on his strategy to returning for a twenty first season in Main League Baseball.

The previous Dodgers pitcher signed a minor league contract with the Kansas Metropolis Royals, who introduced the transfer on Twitter/X Tuesday.

Hill, 45, pitched for the Dodgers from 2016-19, and had been out of baseball since he was launched by the Boston Crimson Sox final September. His new contract permits him to decide out at a later date if he’s not added to the Royals’ main league roster.

Not since 2005 has an MLB season handed with out Hill throwing a pitch. The Royals could be the 14th workforce to make use of him on the main league degree if he’s promoted this season.

Extra information: Dodgers to Promote Prospect Acquired in Gavin Lux Commerce

“I’d love to play another year and have an opportunity to get into the postseason and win a World Series,” Hill told Bob Nightengale’s USA Today last November. “That’s everybody’s dream. I’ve been close a couple of times, but it’s not like anything I’ve experienced in the game.

“Enjoying within the postseason, there’s nothing prefer it. Nothing in any respect prefer it.”

The Royals are an excellent launching pad for a possible postseason berth. They are currently 25-18, more wins than all but one American League team, after clinching a Wild Card berth and advancing to the AL Division Series last October.

More news: Former Red Sox Executive Shades Mookie Betts Trade Amid Rafael Devers Drama

Hill will pick up where he left off last fall, when he signed a minor league deal with his hometown Red Sox, but was released by Boston in Sept. 2024. The left-hander saw action in four major league games, all out of the bullpen, going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA before being designated for assignment.

In 386 profession video games, Hill is 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA. He sat out the start of the 2024 season to coach his son’s Little League team, however confirmed he can nonetheless retire main league hitters in an period when groups are trending towards youthful pitchers with quicker fastballs.

More news: Former Dodgers Outfielder Cut By NL East Rival After Three Games

Last winter, Hill participated with — and against — players half his age in the Premier12 tournament in Japan.

Hill debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2004. Besides the Cubs and Dodgers, he has also pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees.

Hill told Nightengale he was texting former teammates all through the Dodgers’ World Collection run in October.

“It is actually cool to see simply the enjoyment on their faces,” he said. “Seeing different gamers expertise that, you are simply genuinely excited for them. And also you need that. Yet another time. So hopefully, that can come round. I nonetheless really feel that I’ve loads to supply. I believe baseball is at a crossroads the place have been want to start out creating beginning pitching once more, and never simply relievers who’re chasing velocity at a younger age. I do know I can nonetheless present innings.”

For extra Dodgers information, head over to Dodgers on SI.