Richard Joseph Hill (born March 11, 1980), nicknamed "Dick Mountain",[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.

On May 20, Hill lost to the White Sox 7–0, and was the starter in the game that saw A. J. Pierzynski run over Cubs catcher Michael Barrett at the plate in a huge collision.

[23] Hill was the fourth starter in the Cubs' Opening Day rotation, following Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis.

[27] He continued to excel during April, leading some to speculate that he would become the ace in the Cubs rotation as he pitched 18 consecutive innings without an earned run.

[29]Hill suffered a setback in Philadelphia, where he took his second loss of the season, giving up five runs and leaving the game before getting any outs in the sixth inning.

Outfielder Chris Young homered off the first pitch of the game and Hill only lasted three innings, allowing six hits and three runs as the Cubs were swept in the series.

[33][34] Hill reworked his delivery during spring training after some initial issues with his command[35] but remained a starter as the 2008 season began.

He suffered from various muscle strains the rest of the season,[13] making only 13 starts in the minors for Iowa, Daytona and the Arizona League Cubs.

He played for the Tigres de Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League after the season and was 1–2 with a 6.86 ERA in 21 innings, walking 23 while striking out 16.

[15] Hill transitioned to a "sidewinder" pitcher during spring training and outperformed other relievers trying to make the roster but was optioned back to Pawtucket to start the season.

[56] On May 29, Hill injured his left throwing elbow and on June 9, he underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulner collateral ligament.

[70] Hill signed a minor-league deal to return to the Red Sox on February 9, 2014 which included an invitation to spring training.

[81] On February 27, 2015, Hill signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training.

[82] Even though he was signed after spring training began, manager Matt Williams said Hill would compete for a bullpen spot on the team.

[83] Despite pitching well in spring training games, Hill did not make the opening day roster and was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs on April 4.

[86] On July 28, 2015, after not receiving any other offers, Hill signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball as a starter.

[98] On August 1, 2016, the Athletics traded Hill and Josh Reddick to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitching prospects Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton, and Frankie Montas.

[99] He made his Dodgers debut on August 24, pitching six scoreless innings and earning the win in a 1–0 game against the San Francisco Giants.

[105] In game three of the 2016 National League Championship Series, Hill allowed two hits in six innings in the Dodgers victory over the Chicago Cubs.

[110] He returned to the rotation to earn National League Pitcher of the Month honors in July with a 4–0 record, 1.45 ERA, and 40 strikeouts against only 5 walks in 5 starts.

[112] It was also the first perfect game broken up by a ninth-inning error in MLB history,[113] and Hill became the first pitcher since Lefty Leifield of the 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates to lose a decision despite throwing at least nine innings and allowing one or fewer hits and no walks.

[115]Through the first two months of the 2018 season, Hill landed on the disabled list twice due to recurring blister issues in his pitching hand.

[116] After beginning the season in the Dodgers rotation, Hill suffered a left forearm strain in a game on June 19 and was placed on the disabled list.

[19] On July 23, 2021, Hill was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Tommy Hunter and minor league catcher Matt Dyer.

[19] On August 1, 2023, Hill and Ji-man Choi were traded to the San Diego Padres for Alfonso Rivas, Estuar Suero, and Jackson Wolf.

[137] Hill made a relief appearance for the Red Sox on August 29, making him the only player to have played in each of the 20 MLB seasons from 2005 through 2024.

[143][144] During the inaugural MLB Players Weekend in 2017,[145] Rich Hill wore the name "Brice" on his jersey to honor his son.

He donated $575,000 to Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, where Brooks received treatment,[72] as part of a campaign that has raised almost $1 million for research into rare genetic diseases.

The couple reportedly attempted to enter the stadium multiple times with an oversized bag, in violation of the National Football League's stringent rules regarding such matters.

[151] Hill's older brother John was a state champion gymnast and performed in the closing ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympics.