Red Sox

This would be Hill’s fourth term with his hometown team, the Red Sox.

According to reports, the Red Sox are close to bringing back a local product in 44-year-old pitcher Rich Hill.

According to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the Red Sox are finalizing a minor league deal with Hill, with the Milton native providing Boston with additional reinforcements for their depleted rotation.

Bradford said Hill participated in a three-team showcase at Champion Physical Therapy and Performance in Waltham last Friday. The left-hander threw more than 100 pitches as part of his workout.

This would be Hill’s fourth tenure with his hometown team, the Red Sox. He played for Boston in 2010-12 and 2015 and started 22 games during the 2022 season.

Hill served as a pitcher during the 2023 season, making 27 starting appearances for the Pirates and Padres, posting a 5.41 ERA in 146.1 innings.

Despite receiving offers for major league contracts last season, Hill decided to sit out the first five months of the 2024 season to coach his 12-year-old son, Brice, in Little League.

The signing of Hill comes at a critical time for the Red Sox, especially since the season is likely over for veteran left-hander James Paxton after he suffered a partial calf tear in Sunday’s game against the Astros.

Hill could potentially push right-hander Cooper Criswell out of the rotation, although it remains to be seen how much the 44-year-old Hill has left in the tank at this stage of his career.