Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Returns from 15-day IL
Rotowire
Toronto activated Richards (neck) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Richards missed the minimum 15 days because of neck inflammation. He'll return to the Blue Jays' bullpen Friday night against the Reds, holding a strong 2.98 ERA with 83 strikeouts through 54.1 innings this year.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Starts rehab assignment
Rotowire
Richards (neck) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Richards' first rehab appearance was postponed as Buffalo was rained out, but the right-hander is game-ready after missing the previous two weeks with neck inflammation. Assuming he gets into Wednesday's game, it's possible that's the only appearance he'll need before rejoining the Blue Jays' bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Richards (neck) threw a successful bullpen session Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Richards appears on track to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible next weekend. The 30-year-old right-hander had registered a 2.98 ERA and 83 strikeouts through 54.1 innings this season with the Blue Jays before he went on the shelf Aug. 3 due to neck inflammation.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Lands on IL with sore neck
Rotowire
Richards was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to August 2, with neck inflammation.
It doesn't sound like an overly serious issue, but Richards will be missed in the Toronto bullpen as he spends at least the next two weeks on the shelf. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a sharp 2.98 ERA with 83 strikeouts through 54.1 innings of work this season for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Dominant as opener Wednesday
Rotowire
Richards didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Giants, allowing one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings while striking out five.
The right-hander's changeup was devastating, and Richards generated 10 swinging strikes in the first inning alone -- becoming only the fourth pitcher this season to rack up double-digit whiffs in a single frame and joining Hunter Greene (hip), Andrew Heaney and MacKenzie Gore in that club. Richards continues to give the Jays some impressive outings as the front end of a tandem, posting a 3.07 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB through 14.2 innings in June, but the role puts a cap on his fantasy value as it makes it virtually impossible for him to record a win. Until the front office finds more permanent options to fill the holes in the team's rotation though, the 30-year-old should continue to be deployed as an opener.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Hit with first loss
Rotowire
Richards (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out two.
Toronto has gone with something of a tandem approach to filling the hole in its rotation, and for the second straight appearance Richards started and went three innings before giving way to the rest of the bullpen. Unlike his last outing June 10, when he fanned seven Twins over three shutout frames, the right-hander had far less success this time around, tossing 36 of 65 pitches for strikes and serving up back-to-back homers to Josh Jung and Jonah Heim in the second inning. Until Alek Manoah turns things around or Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) is ready to return, the Jays will likely continue patching together their fifth starter spot, and Richards should remain a big part of that plan. On the season, he sports a 3.82 ERA and 51:15 K:BB through 33 innings.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Strikes out seven in three innings
Rotowire
Richards took a no-decision after working three scoreless innings as a starter in Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Twins. He struck out seven while allowing one hit and one walk.
Richards filled the rotation spot that had previously belonged to the since-optioned Alek Manoah, but because he had worked out of the bullpen in each of his previous 21 outings this season, Richards' workload was monitored carefully. He still managed to impress in the abbreviated outing, recording his nine outs on 53 pitches, including 16 which induced swings and misses. Richards will likely have a longer leash if the Blue Jays decide to have him make another start, though he could still struggle to work deep enough into the contest to qualify for a win
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Making spot start
Rotowire
Richards will start Saturday's game against the Twins, though he isn't expected to throw more than three innings, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
Richards will make the start which would have previously gone to Alek Manoah, who was demoted after struggling to a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts. Richards has starting experience, with 56 of his 200 MLB appearances coming in that role, but he's likely to wind up somewhere between an opener and a true starter in Saturday's contest given that he's exclusively pitched in relief this season, only once recording more than six outs. Bowden Francis and Mitch White are available to provide length behind him. Whether the Blue Jays elect to build Richards up to a starter's workload and keep him in the rotation going forward or move him back to the bullpen following Saturday's outing remains to be seen.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Collects third hold
Rotowire
Richards walked one and struck out three in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Twins.
He took the ball from Jose Berrios with two outs in the sixth inning before passing the baton to Erik Swanson in the seventh, as the Blue Jays staff tossed a combined five-hit shutout. Richards' plus-plus changeup has been dancing this season, and the 30-year-old righty has fanned multiple batters in 10 of his last 11 appearances, producing a 3.24 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 16.2 innings over that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Remains in bullpen mix
Rotowire
Richards has posted a 14:5 K:BB without allowing a home run over 7.1 innings this spring.
The right-hander's elite changeup looks as baffling as ever, but his lack of even an average fastball has led to some erratic numbers in the majors. Richards posted a 5.34 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 2022 despite a 29.2 percent strikeout rate, thanks in part to a career-worst 12.5 percent walk rate. He'll likely fill a lower-leverage role for Toronto this season.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Avoids arbitration with Toronto
Rotowire
Richards signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The 29-year-old held a 5.34 ERA but also struck out 82 over 64 innings for the Blue Jays last season. Richards has plenty of past starting experience but appears pegged for a full-time relief gig again in 2023. He did serve as an opener for the Jays a few times in 2022 and might be used some in that role again for the upcoming season.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Set to open Game 1 on Wednesday
Rotowire
Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Orioles, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Richards will be picking up his fourth "start" of the season, but because he hasn't recorded more than seven outs in any of his 61 appearances with the Blue Jays, he's unlikely to face any hitter more than one time. Once Richards exits the contest, the Blue Jays will have one of Casey Lawrence, Mitch White and Yusei Kikuchi available as a potential bulk-relief option. The Blue Jays will then likely save two of those pitchers to cover the majority of the innings in Game 2.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Starting bullpen game
Rotowire
Richards will start a bullpen game against the Orioles on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Richards threw 29 pitches in relief Thursday against the Rays and gave up five runs on three hits and two walks while failing to strike out a batter in two-thirds of an inning. However, he'll serve as an opener during Friday's matchup, while Yusei Kikuchi will likely be available as a bulk reliever.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Heading up bullpen game
Rotowire
Richards will start a bullpen game Sunday against the Rangers, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Interim manager John Schneider said that everyone will be available, suggesting we will see a slew of arms in the series finale instead of an opener-primary situation. Richards has not thrown more than two innings in an appearance this season. Jose Berrios will be pushed back to Monday against the Rays.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Opening Saturday's game
Rotowire
Richards will start Saturday's game against the Pirates, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Richards hasn't made a start since 2020 and hasn't lasted very long in any of his relief appearances this season, so it seems likely that he'll be used as an opener during Saturday's matchup. The right-hander posted a 1.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 12.1 innings over 12 appearances in August.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Activated from IL
Rotowire
Richards (neck) was activated from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander served up two homers in one inning during his lone rehab appearance, but the Blue Jays have reinstated Richards back to the active roster regardless. Chances are, Richards will be limited to mop-up duty, at least until he shows he can string together a few effective appearances. Richards has a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 28.2 innings for Toronto this season.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Richards (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Richards faced live hitters Monday and has now been cleared to return to game action in the minors. The right-hander didn't face a lengthy shutdown after landing on the injured list June 18, so he expects to be ready to return when first eligible July 3.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Facing hitters again
Rotowire
Richards (neck) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Facing live hitters is likely the final hurdle that Richards needs to clear before the Blue Jays send him out for a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old right-hander had supplied a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 28.2 innings out of the Toronto bullpen this season before landing on the 15-day injured list June 18 with a strained neck. According to Mitch Bannon of SI.com, Richards said he was shut down from throwing for only a few days due to the injury, and he expects to be ready to come off the IL when first eligible July 3.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Out with neck strain
Rotowire
Richards was placed on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain Saturday.
Richards hasn't been pitching well lately, allowing 12 runs in eight innings across his last eight appearances, though it's unclear exactly how much of that can be attributed to the injury. Matt Gage was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.
