Yankees Bring Back Reliable Lefty Tim Hill

 

Yankee Stadium's landmark facade. Photo by Jason Schott.

One of the bigger bright spots in the Yankees' bullpen last season was left-hander Tim Hill, and he will be returning to The Bronx on a one-year deal, with a club option for the 2026 season.

The Yankees signed Hill in the middle of last season, on June 20, two days after he was released by the Chicago White Sox during the season, and it was one of the best moves the eventual American League pennant winner made.

In his time in pinstripes, the 34-year-old Hill made 35 relief appearances, and he had a 3-0 record with a 2.05 earned run average (ERA), threw 44 innings, and allowed 13 runs (10 earned) on 36 hits and nine walks, while striking out 18.  

Hill recorded four-or-more outs in 15 of his 35 relief outings with the Yankees, whereas he only did that four times out of his 27 appearances with the White Sox. In his time with Chicago, he went 1-0 with a 5.87 ERA, as he threw 23 innings and allowed 19 runs (15 earned) on 41 hits and 10 walks, with 10 strikeouts.

From when he made his Yankees debut on June 20 through the end of the season, Hill ranked as one of the best left-handed relievers in the American League. He was, first in the A.L. and second in the Major Leagues among left-handed relievers in innings pitched (30 minimum) with 44; fourth in MLB and third in the A.L. in ERA (2.05); tenth in MLB and seventh in the A.L. in on-base percentage (.267)  eighth in MLB and fifth in the A.L. in opponents' slugging percentage (.281); ninth in MLB and fifth in the A.L. in opponents' on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at .549; and 10th in MLB  and eighth in the A.L. in WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) with 1.02.

In the postseason, Hill made 10 appearances, and he posted a 1.08 ERA, as he threw 8 1/3 innings, and allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks, with three strikeouts.

Hill, a Mission Hills, California, native, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft our of Bacone College College in Oklahoma. He made his debut with Kansas City in 2018, and then he was traded to the Padres in 2020, where he spent three seasons before signing with the White Sox ahead of the 2024 season.