LOS ANGELES — Two decades after establishing himself as a reliable major-league pitcher, one special veteran is considering writing one more chapter in a career that seemed to have already come to an end.
The 46-year-old left-hander confirmed that he has not officially retired and plans to return to the gym and begin a throwing program during the offseason to determine whether his body is still capable of competing in MLB.
What makes the story especially meaningful is the possibility that the 21-season veteran could seek an opportunity to return to one of the places where he enjoyed his greatest success: the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That player is Rich Hill, the veteran pitcher who spent four productive seasons with the Dodgers from 2016 through 2019, helping the club reach consecutive World Series appearances in 2017 and 2018.
Hill will turn 47 in March, but instead of officially closing the book on his career, he is preparing to test the limits of his body one more time.
Hill’s plan includes returning to the gym, rebuilding strength and beginning a throwing program designed to find a version of his pitching that fits his current physical condition. He is even considering changing his arm slot and delivery, with the goal of finding a new way to pitch that could allow him to contribute out of the bullpen or in a mentoring role.
In his desire to return to Los Angeles, Hill expressed his wish to devote the final chapter of his career to the franchise where he experienced some of his finest seasons.
“Los Angeles is where I found another level in my career, and that will always mean something special. If there is still an opportunity to come back, I am willing to do whatever the team needs. Starter, bullpen, or any role that helps the young guys — I just want to contribute and chase another World Series with the Dodgers.”
A comeback like that would carry special meaning because Hill has already played 21 MLB seasons, a rare milestone for any pitcher. According to his current career statistics, he owns a record of 90 wins and 76 losses with a 4.02 ERA in 388 games after playing for 14 different franchises.
His time with the Dodgers remains a major highlight. From 2016 to 2019 he posted strong numbers, including a 12-win season in 2017 and consistent dominance that helped Los Angeles reach the Fall Classic in consecutive years.
Another peak earlier in his career came in 2016, when the veteran left-hander posted a combined 12-5 record with a 2.12 ERA between Oakland and Los Angeles and finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting.
What is drawing even more attention is Hill’s belief that his body can still handle a serious training program despite approaching the age of 47. Rather than trying to become the same pitcher he was at his peak, he wants to find a “new normal,” adjust his mechanics and use experience to compensate for declining velocity while helping develop the next generation of Dodgers pitchers.
The possibility of a pitcher at this age still training with the goal of returning to the Major Leagues makes Hill’s plan one of the most unusual comeback stories in MLB.
Of course, there is no indication that the Dodgers are currently negotiating a contract with Hill, and any reunion would still depend on the results of his throwing program and professional evaluations. But if Hill proves that his arm is still capable of competing, Los Angeles would carry a meaning that very few other destinations could offer for the final chapter of his career.
Twenty-one seasons after the journey began, a return to Dodger Stadium would create a special full-circle moment for Hill, giving him the chance to finish his career with the franchise where he once helped chase championships and where he now hopes to pass on his experience to a new generation of Dodgers.
