Player Outlook
Trevor Richards is the reliever equivalent of the innings eating starter. Last season, he appeared 56 times and amassed 72.2 innings, and it would have been more, but Richards needed the minimum 15-day IL visit for a neck issue in August. To be fair, Richards collected 11 holds, so some of his efforts were in higher leverage scenarios. Richards continues to throw one of the nastiest changeups in the league, but hitters can sit on his less effective four-seam fastball since he throws each about half the time. Richards was mixing in a slider in previous seasons, but he stopped using it. Richards has fanned over 30 percent of the hitters he's faced over the past three seasons, but he's walked 10 percent of them while recording a 1.52 HR/9. It's always intriguing to take a chance on Richards after sorting by strikeouts but following that with a sort on homers should help resist the temptation.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 139.52.5 72.7 2 1 105 35 4.95 1.35
2022 1131.8 64.0 3 2 82 35 5.34 1.44
3y Avg. 1442.5 67.0 4 2 0 88 31 4.57 1.25
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Fantasy News

  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Still sharpening command

    Richards allowed one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings of relief during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out two. The veteran righty has 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings this spring, but he's also issued five free passes as he tries to iron out the kinks before Opening Day. Richards' ability to rack up bulk Ks via his elite changeup, and his flexible role in the Blue Jays bullpen, keep him on the fantasy radar in deeper formats -- over 72.2 innings in 2023 he collected 105 strikeouts, two wins and a career-high 11 holds, but they came with a 4.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Gets $2.15 million

    Richards agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. The 30-year-old swing man has made three or more starts in five of his six MLB seasons but he has not logged more than 75 innings since he threw 135.1 frames in 2019. Richards had a 4.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 72.2 innings last year.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Returns from 15-day IL

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Starts rehab assignment

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Throws bullpen session

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Lands on IL with sore neck

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Hit with first loss

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Strikes out seven in three innings

    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
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Making spot start

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Collects third hold

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Remains in bullpen mix

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Avoids arbitration with Toronto

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Set to open Game 1 on Wednesday

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Starting bullpen game

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Heading up bullpen game

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Opening Saturday's game

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Activated from IL

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Begins rehab assignment

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Out with neck strain

    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.
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  • Blue Jays' Trevor Richards: Inks $1 million deal with Toronto

    Richards agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports. Richards is in his first year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a modest raise. He spent most of last season with Toronto and was a solid bullpen piece with a 3.31 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB across 32.2 innings.
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