45-year old Rich Hill leaves Royals contract to pursue MLB record with another team

Billy Heyen

45-year old Rich Hill leaves Royals contract to pursue MLB record with another team image

Rich Hill's feel-good comeback story with the Kansas City Royals didn't last all that long.

Once again, the 45-year old southpaw is a free agent.

The Royals had recently designated Hill for assignment, meaning he was removed from the 40-man roster. At that point, he had the option of reporting to Triple-A or electing free agency.

Hill chose the free agent option, and the oldest active big leaguer will look for another roster to join.

The lefty made two starts for Kansas City in July, working nine innings and posting a 5.00 ERA with four strikeouts.

Hill has played for 14 different MLB clubs, which is tied with Edwin Jackson for the most in MLB history.

MORE: Cubs' Matthew Boyd has mastered the balk pickoff move

Maybe the biggest intrigue of his free agency, aside from whether he'll continue playing, is if he'll find a way to set that record.

Hill has already played for the Royals, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, Guardians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Yankees, Athletics, Mets, Padres, Twins and Angels.

So sign up one of the other 16 teams to give Hill a call.

This marked his 21st season appearing in the big leagues.

He has a career record of 90-76, with a 4.02 ERA.

MORE: Red Sox leapfrog the Yankees in the standings for first time since March

Hill sat out most of last season before joining the Red Sox for four appearances in the second half. This season shaped up much of the same way for Kansas City.

There's probably a team out there that wouldn't mind a little hubbub down the stretch with a veteran innings eater that can also set a record. Don't be surprised if Hill gets one more contract.

MORE MLB NEWS:

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle