FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox reliever Rich Hill has been absent from spring training because of a “serious family issue,” according to manager John Farrell.
“There’s still a number of things that they’re working through, he and his family,” Farrell said Saturday at JetBlue Park. “There’s no date on his arrival here.”
The Red Sox signed Hill, who spent three seasons with the organization from 2010-12, to a minor league contract over the offseason. The deal included an invitation to major league spring training, but the left-hander has been absent from camp thus far.
Hill, a native of Boston, Mass., who graduated from Milton High School, posted a 1.14 ERA (four earned runs in 31 2/3 innings) over 40 major league appearances during his last go-round in the Red Sox organization. The left-hander posted a 1.83 ERA (four earned runs in 19 2/3 innings) in 25 appearances with Boston in 2012.
Hill, who struggled with the Cleveland Indians last season, owns a 4.74 ERA over 181 career big league appearances (70 starts). The 33-year-old has spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles in addition to the Red Sox and Indians.
Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.
