Boston Red Sox sign pitcher Rich Hill

Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the Boston Red Sox have signed lefty Rich Hill to a minor league deal. The deal comes just a day after Hill, pitching in the Atlantic League, tied the Long Island Ducks’ franchise record of 14 strikeouts in the club’s 4-3 loss on Sunday.

More from Boston Red Sox

• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• Stock Up, Stock Down: Braves, Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox
• Boston Red Sox: The 4 players who are on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Stock Up, Stock Down: Two teams rising, two falling post-trade deadline

While Hill was a starter with Long Island, he’s been a relief pitcher in affiliated ball since 2010. After struggling with consistency as a starter with the Cubs and Orioles from 2005-2009, Hill found success in a bullpen role with Boston from 2010-2012 in minimal big-league action. The now-35-year-old struggled in a bigger bullpen role with the Indians in 2013, though thrived as a specialist with the Yankees in 14 appearances last year.

With Red Sox closer Koji Uehara hitting the disabled list on Monday, Hill could end up in the big leagues fairly quick with Boston suddenly in need of a bullpen arm. It’s late in the season, but a strong string of performances down the stretch could position Hill to get another deal with a big-league club this offseason instead of settling for another stint in independent ball.

Next: Red Sox Closer Koji Uehara Out For Season

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals