Veteran's Debut with Royals Marked by Challenges, But Desire Remains

Rich Hill, the oldest active player in baseball, made his return to the majors on Tuesday night, but his performance showed some rust. His Kansas City Royals teammates didn't provide much support during his start against the Chicago Cubs.

Hill pitched five innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He threw 90 pitches, with 55 strikes, and recorded two walks and one strikeout. The Cubs ultimately won the game 6-0, with Hill taking the loss.

The second inning proved particularly challenging for Hill, as he threw 31 pitches and conceded two unearned runs due to defensive errors by the Royals. The Cubs capitalized on these mistakes, taking a 2-0 lead. Manager Matt Quatraro acknowledged Hill's effort, noting the difficult conditions and the team's defensive shortcomings.

Hill managed to settle in during his final three innings, retiring eight of nine batters before allowing a run in the fifth. The Cubs also stole four bases off Hill during the game.

Hill's start at Wrigley Field marked the beginning of his 21st major league season and his first with Kansas City. This appearance also made him the oldest player to start a major league game since 2012. He is filling a spot in the Royals rotation due to an injury. Hill expressed his desire to continue playing, emphasizing his belief that he still has more to offer.

At 45 years and 133 days old, Hill became the oldest player in Royals history. He began his career with the Cubs in 2005. After signing a minor-league deal with the Royals in May, he had been playing for their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. Hill also appeared in four games for the Red Sox last season. He highlighted his motivation to contribute to a team this season.

During his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hill made 11 postseason starts, including two World Series starts.