Former Red Sox Reliever Rich Hill Joins Terry Francona, Indians on Minor-League Deal

by Ricky Doyle on Fri, Feb 8, 2013 at 11:16AM

Rich Hill‘s three-year stint with the Red Sox wasn’t anything to marvel at, but the local kid is now joining a familiar friend in Cleveland.

The Indians announced on Thursday that they have signed Hill to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invite to big league camp. The Milton, Mass., native will join former Sox manager Terry Francona, who is set to embark on his first season as the Indians’ skipper.

Hill, whose local roots had plenty of Sox fans pulling for him over the past three seasons, only made 40 appearances in a Red Sox uniform. He had Tommy John surgery in 2011, and he bounced back and forth between Boston and Triple-A Pawtucket. The left-hander actually pitched very well during his time in the majors, though, so there’s reason to believe he could catch on and have a role with the Tribe.

Hill, who will turn 33 in March, was 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 31 2/3 innings with the Red Sox between 2010 and 2012. The lefty went 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings spread out over 25 appearances last season.

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