Rich Hill opens up about son's death in return to Red Sox camp

Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill opened up to reporters Thursday about the tragic loss of his two-month old son, Brooks.

The team previously said Hill was dealing with "family issues" when he didn't immediately report to camp. He clarified further details and noted the Red Sox "have been tremendous" as he and wife Caitlin dealt with the extremely personal matters.

"We had a son on Dec. 26, and he was born with multiple issues that we confronted and had to deal with as we were moving through the last couple of months at Mass General," Hill told reporters Thursday. "Unfortunately he succumbed and he has passed. He taught us a lot of things, and unfortunately things didn't work out.

"My wife has been extremely strong. Our son, who is 2½, is with us here down in Florida, so we are going to enjoy our time here and obviously make the most of the opportunity that's here to present itself to play baseball."

Hill said he is excited to be playing baseball again, and to take the next step with the team after such a devastating period of time.

"I fully feel that the opportunity is here," he said. "I think that was also with a blend of the opportunity that is here and obviously with our family situation that we had. With the opportunity that is here, [I want] to make the most of it and do everything I can on a daily basis to perform."