Rich Hill expected to make his WooSox debut on Friday, what will he role be?

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The WooSox have veteran left-hander Rich Hill scheduled to be on the mound to start the game on Friday against the Norfolk Tides. This will mark his first appearance back in the Red Sox system since he signed a minor-league pact last week.

According to a source, Hill could pitch multiple innings in his start versus one and done. Brad Keller is expected to piggyback off Hill in the game once he is removed.

Hill threw a bullpen session on Sunday before the WooSox’ series finale at home with the IronPigs. Top catching prospect Kyle Teel caught Hill’s session.

Kyle Teel catches Rich Hill’s first BP session; ‘I just put my glove there and closed my eyes, and the ball was in my glove’

“It was awesome. He’s awesome,” Teel said. “He has really good stuff, so I really didn’t have to do much. I just put my glove there and closed my eyes, and the ball was in my glove.”

Hill threw an additional bullpen with the team on the road in Norfolk this week and will now make his Triple-A debut Friday.

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The Red Sox haven’t shed much light as to what Hill’s role will be with Worcester and then Boston. Skipper Alex Cora provided some insight while the team was on the road in Baltimore.

"Let's see what happens," Cora said. "Going to Worcester. There are no promises, first. And second, role-wise, if it happens, he could start, he can open, he can come in for leverage. But first things first, let's get him back on the mound, back to compete, and then we'll go from there. I do believe, first of all, he is so diligent with his work.

"Throughout the years, he has stayed on top of everything. He had the workouts, but he was also throwing bullpens. I don't know how long he is going to take, if that is the case, and we need him. But I know the person, the pitcher, he will be ready."

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Hill’s appearance on the mound in Norfolk will be his first since October 1 last season. He pitched in relief for the Padres on the road against the White Sox. The southpaw hurled two innings and allowed an unearned run with three strikeouts.