'We've got today, and that's exciting': Rich Hill returns to Red Sox

BOSTON -- Like that familiar sweatshirt you put on when the weather starts to cool off a bit, Rich Hill walked back into the home clubhouse at Fenway Park on Tuesday as if he never left.

This time, Hill was returning from a self-imposed summer vacation spent coaching his son Brice in his final season of Little League.

With their pitching depth tested by injuries in recent weeks, the Red Sox signed Hill to a Minor League contract on Aug. 17. Just 10 days and two innings for Triple-A Worcester later, the 44-year-old was back in the Major Leagues, embarking on yet another stint for his hometown Red Sox.

“Dick Mountain is back,” bellowed Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen, referring to the nickname Hill had on the back of his jersey for Players' Weekend several years ago, when they were teammates on the Dodgers.

At that same point, Nick Pivetta saw Hill in the middle of a scrum with reporters, and a wide smile came across his face.

Hill -- who is prepared to work in any role manager Alex Cora needs him in -- was also all smiles.

“Feels good,” said Hill. “It’s great [to be back]. We had a great summer. And I was just staying ready and just taking the opportunity. And putting in the work and the time and the effort throughout the entire summer has obviously come to this point where we're at today.

“Obviously, the challenge ahead is to go out there and continue to put in the time and the effort and the work, but to go out there and compete and make pitches and get outs and play with a relentless attitude.”

This marks the start of Hill’s fourth stint with the Red Sox, though it’s actually the eighth contract he signed with the club. The lefty first joined the Red Sox in 2010 as a 30-year-old, coming off years of injury misfortune and making the transition from starter to reliever. Then he came back in September of '15, after a stint with the independently affiliated Long Island Ducks that convinced him he could start again.

Hill was right. In four late-season starts for Boston, he had a 1.55 ERA, at which point he resurrected his career and went on to pitch in the World Series twice with the Dodgers.

For the 2022 season, Hill again came back to Fenway, that time as a full-season member of the rotation, making 26 starts.

This time is yet another different circumstance, as Hill only wanted to pitch a partial season and the Red Sox just happened to be the team that needed him most.

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What convinces Hill he can still compete at the highest level at 44?

“I think the way the ball is coming out of my hand,” said Hill. “I know it was a couple of innings in Worcester, but I think the way that the hitters were reacting, and the way the ball is breaking, the life on the fastball and how the execution was, I think it was all there.”

The familiarity that Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow (Hill's former teammate and workout partner) and Cora have with Hill made this a seamless fit for both sides.

“Well, I talked to him and he's willing to do anything, so we know he can get lefties out,” said Cora. “We'll see where we’re at. He looks great, physically, and he's always taken care of that part. He's excited to be back and we’ll use him the right way.”

Once Hill makes his first appearance of 2024, it will mark the start of his 20th Major League season.

Hill is 90-73 with a 4.01 ERA in his career. In addition to the Red Sox, he has also pitched for the Cubs, the Orioles, the Guardians, the Angels, the Yankees, the A’s, the Dodgers, the Twins, the Rays, the Mets, the Pirates and the Padres.

With the Red Sox slumping of late -- and trailing by five games in the American League Wild Card standings entering Tuesday -- Hill brings another steady veteran to the mix on a roster full of youth.

“Experience is an incredible teacher. You gain many different avenues of perspective, such as patience, time, the understanding of time,” said Hill. “Removing yourself from the outcome and staying in the moment. The perspective that I've gained is being able to understand that this is such a long process and such a long journey. The details are in the work and enjoying them. I know it's a tough stretch that's going on here, but we've got today, and that's exciting.”