< Back to front page Text size – +

Indians will give Rich Hill a shot

Print | Comments () Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff February 7, 2013 03:22 PM

Tweet
E-mail

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Indians have signed lefthanded reliever Rich Hill to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Hill, 32, appeared in relief in 25 games for the Red Sox last season after returning from Tommy John surgery in April and had a 1.83 ERA. Hill returned to the disabled list in June with an elbow strain and did not come back until September.

Hill pitched in only 40 games over three seasons with the Sox because of injuries. He pitched exceptionally well in those games, compiling a 1.14 ERA and striking out 36 in 31.2 innings.

The Indians also avoided arbitration with infielder Mike Aviles, signing him to a two-year, $6 million deal that includes a team option for 2015. The Red Sox traded Aviles to Toronto in October as compensation for manager John Farrell. The Blue Jays then traded him to the Indians on Nov. 3.