43 Garrett Richards SP

Richards maintained full health throughout spring training, Bill Center of FriarWire reports.

Richards pitched only three big-league innings last season following a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, he is expected to fill a key role in the middle of San Diego's rotation this season as long as his arm holds up. All signs have been positive thus far; Richards' fastball hit the mid-90s in Cactus League play and "the bite was back to his lethal slider," per Center. The right-hander's spring numbers also give the Padres reason to be excited -- he held opponents scoreless over 5.1 innings while posting a 6:1 K:BB.

Richards hurled 3.1 innings in a Cactus League start against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out four.

Richards has now hurled 5.1 frames this spring without allowing an earned run. He has also struck out six batters while touching the upper-90s with his fastball. Though he has dealt with numerous injuries during his career, Richards has a solid track record of success in the majors and could challenge for the role of staff ace if he is able to stay healthy.

Richards pitched two scoreless innings in a Cactus League start against Milwaukee on Tuesday, allowing one hit and striking out two. He sat in the 96-97 mph range with his fastball, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Padres took a gamble on Richards when they signed him to a two-year deal late in 2018 with the knowledge that most of 2019 would be spent recovering from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander struggled in three major-league outings last season, but he appears to be fully healthy heading into the 2020 campaign and could boost an already-promising rotation if his arm holds up. Wednesday's radar gun readings are in line with the 95.8 mph average he posted with his fastball prior to his surgery in 2018.

Richards is not expected to face an innings restriction in 2020, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The Padres signed Richards to a two-year contract in 2018 despite his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. The veteran returned to action late in 2019, allowing eight earned runs in 8.2 innings. Richards is expected to fill a spot in San Diego's starting rotation in 2020.

Richards allowed a run on one hit and four walks over 3.1 innings in a no-decision Saturday versus the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.

Richards, who missed most of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, only threw 58 pitches (29 strikes) in the abbreviated outing. It was the cleanest of his three outings this year. The 31-year-old will likely return to a full starter's workload next year.

Richards allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out two batters in the extra-inning win over Arizona.

All four runs that Richards allowed came during a disastrous second inning, including a two-run homer by Adam Jones. He's given up seven runs in 5.1 innings of work this season after returning from Tommy John surgery. Assuming he makes another appearance this season, Richards will see the Diamondbacks on the road next weekend.

Richards (0-1) gave up three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out five through 3.2 innings to take the loss against the Brewers on Monday.

Richards had only allowed one run going into the fourth inning when he gave up three hits and two runs before he was removed from the game. The 31-year-old earned 20 called strikes on his 61 pitches and had an encouraging performance for his first start back from Tommy John surgery. Richards is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park.

Richards (elbow) was activated as expected ahead of his season debut start Monday against Milwaukee.

Richards is ready to go after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's only reached four innings in his rehab appearances, so he'll likely be on some sort of pitch count for his first start of the year. The veteran owns a career 3.54 ERA over parts of eight major-league seasons, thought it's unclear what to expect in his first few outings following a long absence.

Richards (elbow) will start Monday in Milwaukee.

Richards has thrown just 138.2 innings over the last four seasons due to a string of elbow problems, issues which finally resulted in Tommy John surgery last July. He's been a quality arm when healthy, posting a 3.54 ERA across parts of eight big-league seasons, all with the Angels. He hasn't been able to recapture that form in 17.1 rehab innings this season, however, posting a 6.75 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. He didn't pitch more than four frames in any of those outings, so he may not be able to go too deep into Monday's game.

Richards (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday and if all goes well could make a start during next week's four-game series in Milwaukee, which begins Monday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Richards has yet to pitch this season as he's covered from Tommy John surgery, so his return to a big-league mound would be a major step. The 31-year-old has made three rehab starts since being shut down with shoulder tightness in August and topped out at 63 pitches in Tuesday's outing, so he figures to have a limited pitch count if he does return against the Brewers.

Richards (elbow) pitched four innings for High-A Lake Elsinore in the opening game of the California League Championship Series on Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two.

Richards threw 63 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, in his most extended rehab start to date. With the minor-league playoffs coming to an end, Tuesday's outing is likely to be the last rehab appearance for Richards this season. The 31-year-old is expected to join the Padres in Milwaukee next week after missing the entire season thus far while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Richards (elbow) will start for High-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday and could pitch for the Padres next week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Richards has made three minor-league starts -- hurling 53 pitches in each outing -- since returning from a shoulder issue that halted his rehab for much of August. He'll start for High-A Lake Elsinore in Game 1 of the California League Championship Series on Tuesday before potentially joining the Padres for their series in Milwaukee next week. The 31-year-old has not pitched in the majors since July of 2018.

Richards (elbow) pitched four scoreless innings for High-A Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five.

Richards tossed 33 of his 53 pitches for strikes while leading Lake Elsinore to a win in the first game of the California League playoffs. The strong outing was a nice rebound from his previous rehab start in which he surrendered four earned runs and four walks in 1.2 innings. The 31-year-old has his sights set on returning to the majors before the end of September despite posting a 7.42 ERA and issuing 12 walks in 13.1 innings between three minor-league levels this season.

Richards will throw live batting practice Saturday and is expected to make a rehab appearance with High-A Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Richards last pitched Aug. 5, tossing 2.2 innings before departing with shoulder discomfort. The former Angel has thrown a number of bullpen sessions since then and is eager to resume his rehab assignment in order to meet his goal of returning to the majors before the end of the season. The 31-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2018 before signing a two-year deal with San Diego in the offseason.

Richards threw well in a bullpen session over the weekend and could make a rehab start as early as next week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Richards was shut down earlier this month after experiencing shoulder discomfort but appears ready to ramp up his activity again. He'll toss one more side session before potentially being sent out on his next rehab assignment. The 31-year-old was signed to a two-year deal in the offseason but has yet to pitch for the Padres as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Richards resumed throwing Friday and may be in line for a rehab start this week, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Richards was shut down with shoulder tightness following his previous rehab outing on Aug. 5, but the setback appears to have pushed back his recovery by only four days. Richards underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2018 and has set a goal of pitching for the Padres by the end of the season.

Richards (elbow) exited his rehab start Monday with High-A Lake Elsinore in the third inning due to what was described as tightness in his shoulder, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Making his fourth rehab start overall and his second for the California League affiliate, Richards cruised through 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and two walks while striking out five. The 31-year-old, who is on the comeback trail following July 2018 Tommy John surgery, was ultimately forced to tap out of the contest after 51 pitches, with the health setback now potentially thwarting his efforts to make it back to the big leagues in 2019. While it's at least positive that Richards' injury isn't to his surgically repaired elbow, he'll head back to San Diego for further evaluation before the organization determines the next step for his rehab.

Richards (elbow) will start a rehab assignment with High-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Richards made two appearances with the Padres' AZL affiliate and is now ready to move up in the minors. The 31-year-old is recovering from Tommy John surgery in July 2018 and will require numerous rehab appearances before being ready to rejoin the Padres.

The Padres have been encouraged by the recent reports they've received regarding Richards' (elbow) rehab from Tommy John surgery and are increasingly optimistic that he'll be able to pitch for the big club in September, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

San Diego signed Richards to a two-year, $15.5 million deal in the offseason with the expectation that he would spend all of 2019 rehabbing from July 2018 Tommy John surgery before returning to full strength for the upcoming spring. Richards, meanwhile, had privately held out hope for making his Padres debut at the tail end of 2019, and the organization may be starting to come around to his line of thinking. The 31-year-old still has multiple obstacles to clear in the recovery process before September arrives, and it's likely he would be deployed out of the bullpen or as an opener rather than a traditional starter if he does in fact make it back from the 60-day injured list. Even in the event Richards fails to meet his goal, the fact that a 2019 return is even on the table speaks well to his progress as the one-year anniversary of his procedure nears.

Richards (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Richards underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2018, and he is reportedly aiming to return for the 2020 season. As such, he is a logical candidate to move to the 60-day IL in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for recent signee Aaron Loup. Richards will continue to rehab his elbow for the duration of the season.