The Blue Jays have released left-hander Clayton Richard, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reports (Twitter link). As expected, the team used the open 40-man roster spot to reinstate righty Elvis Luciano from the 60-day injured list.
The move ends a disappointing tenure for Richard in Toronto, as knee and lat injuries limited him to only 45 1/3 innings pitched (all as a starter) this season. The Jays acquired Richard from the Padres last winter in the hopes that he could be a veteran innings-eater, though like similar acquisitions Clay Buchholz and Matt Shoemaker, injuries ultimately scuttled those plans.
Richard wasn’t very effective when he did pitch, posting a 5.96 ERA, 1.22 K/BB, and only a 4.37 K/9, low even by Richard’s standards as a groundball specialist (his grounder rate was a typically sturdy 55.8%). Home runs have become an increasingly big problem for Richard over the last three seasons, culminating in an ugly 24.3% home run rate, as he allowed nine big flies over his 45 innings.
Richard just turned 36 years old today, making the release a particularly unwelcome birthday present. Between his age and a lack of effectiveness over the last three years, he’ll likely have to take a minor league contract with his next team.
Luciano hasn’t pitched since June 12 due to an elbow sprain, though he’ll return to the roster in time to clock the 90 days of active duty necessary to keep him in the Blue Jays organization. The Jays picked Luciano away from the Royals in the last Rule 5 Draft, meaning that the 19-year-old had to remain on Toronto’s 25-man roster for the entire season (or for at least 90 days in case of injury, as was the situation here) for the Blue Jays to permanently secure his rights.
As expected for a youngster who had never pitched above rookie ball, Luciano had a tough go of things in his first exposure to Major League hitting. Luciano had a 6.51 ERA over 27 2/3 innings out of the Jays’ bullpen, with an equal number (22) of unintentional walks and strikeouts. Once he’s officially in the organization, the Blue Jays will return Luciano to the minors for 2020.
Richard will eat innings for a team all day. He is a perfect dude on a rebuilding team and he is a great teacher for lefties and pick off moves
He wasn’t very good at eating innings this year lol. Agreed he seems like a good veteran presence though.
Al east ain’t easy man. Put him in the al west and he will thrive.
Really? But…. Clayton’s worst pitching performances this season were against the Astros (5.0IP 5ER), Angels (5.0IP 5ER) and Diamondbacks (2.2IP 7ER)!
Meanwhile, Clayton’s best pitching performances were against the Yankees (12.2IP 5ER), Red Sox (4.0IP 1ER), and the Rays (4.0IP 2ER). He also had a game against the Orioles where he gave up 3ER in 6 innings, but was let down by two errors in one inning resulting in another 3 runs scoring. He actually pitched fine in that game otherwise.
So if anything, he has pitched better against the east.
I just mean since he was hurt most of the year. You can’t eat too many innings from the IL aha.
He’s also at 9 years of service time. 10 years and his pension becomes fully vested. I’m willing to bet he’d be very interested in signing with Baltimore this offseason. Probably his best bet at sticking on a ML team the entire season.
Only about a month, maybe a month and a half away from 10 years of service now that you mention it.
Happy Birthday, Clayton!
….here’s a piece of cake and now if you could just clean out your locker….
Again we heard when he was acquired it wasn’t going to work.
Jay’s professional scouting misses a lot. Clayton best days are long over. Not to many quality innings left.
Trust the process, Scoutseyes.
Like when the Jays didn’t want to draft Bichette because he was not a college player like JB Woodman and Logan Warmoth.
Trust the process, Jimmer.
lol guy at the top of this thread is saying he is good still has some left. it was dumb to let him go , he will thrive.
A second later someone’s saying it was a horrible move all along an he was clearly don’t last year lol.
Not sure if Clayton was “clearly don’t” as you put it. Also not sure what you’re trying to say.
Okay werealljustguests, I understand the process.
But I don’t think the Shapiro Atkins leadership team can pull it off. That is what I don’t trust the two “leaders” making the decisions.
JimmerT I was kidding. I don’t trust Shapiro and Atkins. That trust ended on July 31st, 2018. Since then they botched Donaldson, caused more drama with Tulowitzki, signed injury-prone starting pitchers (all hurt again), forgot to trade Smoak a second time and had a weak showing again at this deadline. Oh, and gave a horrible extension to Grichuk.
Trust the process. It’s what the “real” Jays fans like to preach to those living in reality.
I’ve got to agree with everything you said there! Shapiro and Atkins are terrible!
Agreed, just doing what the baseball ignorant ownership asked them to do. A sad collaboration of stupidity, incompetence and arrogance. Fans won’t be coming back soon even with the overhype of rookies, who leave much to be desired.
Limited PA against in 2019 but he has shown success vLHB. Any chance he might work as a LHRP specialist?
I think that’s the only way he can survive in this league if he returns next year. LHRP. Although I believe next year every pitcher has to face a minimum 3 batters. You know, because that boosts ratings….
ELVIS has entered the building !!
Why release now. Seasons almost over
They needed his roster spot