Welcome to the party, pal. The Kansas City Royals are calling up former Boston Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill. The left-hander will make his 2025 debut when he starts Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.

It will officially begin his 21st season in the big leagues. And that’s not all.

“When Hill takes the mound, he will tie Edwin Jackson for the most franchises played for in MLB history at 14,” according to ESPN research. “He will also be the first pitcher, 45 or older, to appear in a game since Bartolo Colon in 2018.”

But wait, there’s more. ESPN reports Hill will become the oldest active player in the majors. “He’ll also become the oldest player in Royals history, eclipsing Gaylord Perry for that distinction,” according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan.

Hill signed a minor-league contract with the Royals in May and had been working his way back into shape at Triple-A Omaha. He’s 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine Triple-A starts.

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However MLB.com’s Rob Terranova noted Hill became the first 45-year-old to record double-digit strikeouts in a pro game since Nolan Ryan in 1992. Hill struck out 10 batters in his Triple-A start on July 13.

The southpaw last pitched in the big leagues last year, making four appearances for the Red Sox and going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA.

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He’s had four separate stints in Boston during his two-decade career, which has also seen him play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels.

Overall, he’s 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA in 386 appearances, including 248 starts.

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Tuesday’s start in Chicago will be a blast from the past for Hill, who made his MLB debut for the Cubs at Wrigley Field in 2005.

Featured image via Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images