The Royals signed the 45-year-old left-hander to a minor league deal Tuesday, and he will report soon to the club’s spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona. Once he gets up to speed, Hill likely will head to Triple-A Omaha and try to prove he can still help a major league ballclub with designs on contending for the postseason.

Rich Hill isn’t done trying to play Major League Baseball just yet. The 45-year-old left-hander, who was first drafted into pro ball in 1999, has signed a Minor League deal with the Royals, the team announced on Tuesday.