Rich Hill returns to the big leagues at 45 years old: the oldest since 2012
The left-hander debuted in 2005 and now returns to the Royals to start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field
Rich Hill has come a long way since his major league debut. On June 15, 2005, he pitched for the Chicago Cubs for the first time at historic Wrigley Field. This Tuesday, 19 years later, he returns to the same mound, now as a starter for the Kansas City Royals, at 45 years and 133 days old. With this appearance, Hill becomes the oldest player to pitch an MLB game since Jamie Moyer did so in 2012, at age 49. He will also become the oldest player to wear a Royals jersey, surpassing Gaylord Perry, who was 45 years, six days old in his last start in 1983.
Hill, who signed a minor league deal with Kansas City in May, compiled a 4-4 record with a 5.22 ERA in 11 minor league starts, nine of them with Triple-A Omaha. He threw 61 strikeouts in 50 innings and allowed two or fewer runs in six games.
"He throws a ton of strikes," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "He's very athletic and stays in great shape. He moves around the mound well. He can change arm angles. So, everything he's always done, he's still capable of doing."
A key matchup in the middle of the division fight
The Royals, who won the first game of the series against the Cubs 12-4, are counting on Hill to bring experience at a time when the offense is hot. Salvador Perez hit two home runs in Monday's game, registering his third consecutive home run game and extending his hitting streak to four games. In that span, he's hitting .467.
On the other side, the Cubs will look to rebound after losing their lead in the NL Central. Milwaukee, now atop the league, has won 11 straight. Chicago, which led for 108 days, has slowed down with a 5-5 record in its last 10 games.
Matthew Boyd will start for the Cubs. At 34 years old, the left-hander is having one of his best seasons (10-3, 2.34 ERA), after overcoming two serious injuries in the last four years. His ERA ranks among the top five pitchers this season.
"In rehab, the biggest thing for me was, 'Who am I?'" Boyd told MLB.com. "We're going to be the most comfortable version of myself and see how the metrics shake out."