Former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander elects free agency

Richards was designated for assignment over the weekend when Arizona called up Brandyn Garcia.

This is the second time Richards has been outrighted in 2025, and the last time, when it was the Royals who sent him outright to Triple-A in June, he elected free agency shortly thereafter.

Richards moved into a full-time bullpen role in 2021, and over the next four seasons, he was one of the more durable bullpen arms in the league.

From 2021-24, he was one of only seven relievers to throw at least 60 innings each year. He appeared in a total of 226 games and threw 266 1/3 innings for the Rays, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Twins.

Only six pitchers both made more appearances and threw more innings in that span. His 4.60 ERA was mediocre, but his 4.21 FIP and 3.64 SIERA were more impressive, and regardless, his ability to eat innings out of the bullpen was valuable in and of itself.

The 2025 campaign hasn't gone very well for Richards. He signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason but failed to make the Opening Day roster.

He didn't last long in the majors for either the Royals or the Diamondbacks. All told, he has a 7.94 ERA in 5 2/3 MLB innings this year, and a 5.12 ERA in 31 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

Nevertheless, he could certainly find a new home with a club in need of a proven major leaguer to cover bulk innings.