The Kansas City Royals have designated Rich Hill for assignment a week after the 45-year-old left-hander pitched in the first game of his 21st big league season.

The Royals had to make a difficult decision due to their injury-riddled starting rotation. The club has three starters - Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen - currently on the injured list and needed a fresh arm to avoid taxing the bullpen. Hill was the odd man out.

The Kansas City Royals designated veteran left-hander Rich Hill for assignment on Tuesday after he made just two starts for the club.