Farm director Brian Abraham talks Big 3, Rich Hill
BALTIMORE - After four days of being asked about Rich Hill without much to say in response, Red Sox manager Alex Cora finally had some specifics regarding the new Sox signing.
"Let's see what happens," Cora said before Sunday's game when asked about the 44-year-old pitcher, who has inked a minor-league deal with the Red Sox. "Going to Worcester. There are no promises, first. And second, role-wise, if it happens he could start, he can open, he can come in for leverage. But first things first, let's get him back on the mound, back to compete and then we'll go from there. I do believe, first of all, he is so diligent with his work.
"Throughout the years he has stayed on top of everything. He had the workouts but he was also throwing bullpens. I don't know how long he is going to take, if that is the case and we need him. But I know the person, the pitcher, he will be ready."
Hill began his fourth stint in the Red Sox' organization by throwing a bullpen at Polar Park in Worcester. The Milton resident just recently returned from a youth baseball tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. where he was coaching his 12-year-old son.
Hill rebuffed three major league offers in the offseason to commit to coaching Brice's youth team with an eye on returning to the big leagues for the final two months.
The process of getting a deal started with trips to Falmouth, where he faced Cape Cod League hitters while utilizing the summer league club's tools to measure the analytics of his pitches.
On Aug. 9, Hill participated in a showcase at Champion Physical Therapy and Performance in Waltham, where the Red Sox were one of the team's in attendance. According to Cora, the club came away impressed in the workout, which consisted of about 60 warmup pitches before three simulated innings.
"Good fastball. Good breaking ball," the manager said. "Stuff was good."
The two sides ultimately came to an agreement on the minor-league deal Thursday while Hill was in the midst of his son's tournament. With Milton being eliminated Friday, the lefty was in position to join the WooSox for the final game of their current homestand.
The plan is for Hill to travel with Worcester for its road series at Norfolk this week, although it has yet to be determined in what role - or on what day - he will be pitching.