When the Padres signed erstwhile Angels ace Garrett Richards to a two-year, $15.5MM deal in December, expectations were that Richards would return in time to lead their young staff in 2020–and, if everything broke right in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, that Richards might squeeze in a few September frames. Apparently, that vision is coming into focus now, as the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee reports that Richards is expected to take the ball in his club’s matchup with the Brewers on Monday (link). “Getting him healthy on the mound, competing at the big-league level is going to set him up for success next year,” Padres manager Andy Green told Acee. “We look at it like get him on the mound, make sure he knows going into the offseason he’s ready to go and he doesn’t have a question in the back of his mind — that he’s stared down a few major league lineups and he’s been back on the big stage and he’s ready to go.”
Though Richards will be limited to 60-65 pitches on Monday, it will surely be a welcome sight for a San Diego team short on battle-tested rotation options. Aside from Richards, the club will be heading into 2020 with a collection of starters who remain largely unestablished. Though fronted by impressive rookie Chris Paddack, San Diego’s current rotation features recent returnees from injury (Dinelson Lamet), unproven projects (Ronald Bolanos), and stagnating sophomores (Eric Lauer, Joey Lucchesi). Though the 31-year-old Richards, who has been limited to 138 2/3 frames since the beginning of 2016, could hardly be called a rotational stalwart, he did hold a 3.15 ERA over his last five seasons of pitching–a number which was good enough for third-lowest in the American League during that timeframe.
More notes from just right of the Pacific…
- Angels outfielder Mike Trout was out of today’s lineup as he continues to deal with a foot issue, and MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger relays that the MVP candidate will likely be limited to DH duty in the immediate future (link). Trout underwent a procedure to address a neuroma in his foot last week, and his continued presence in the Los Angeles lineup is largely a question of pain tolerance. The Angels have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but Trout will, hopefully, be able to return to action–if only to stave off a possible MVP run from players like DJ LeMahieu and Alex Bregman.
- Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty is ramping up activity, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Slusser reports that Piscotty, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Aug. 25th, was taking batting practice with the team today (link). He had better hurry in his recovery–Oakland entered play today with just a .5-game lead for the top spot in the American League Wild Card race. Piscotty, 28, holds a .252/.312/.416 slash this year in 389 plate appearances, representing roughly league-average offensive output (95 wRC+).
Justin Verlander MVP
@Dixon Miaz Gerrit Cole could make it a hard choice. His metrics are better than Verlander.
Cole’s got him beat in Ks, FIP, and K/9…and thasaboutit…It’s Verlander’ for CY Young and neither within spitting distance of MVP.
Verlander will definitely get cy young. Even with Trout out hes still that much better than the others.
Only in your dreams, Trout has it locked up,
Thats what i said.
Trout for cy
it would be interesting if the AFL expanded as so that rehabing players can fit in some extra rehab (and so more prospects can get extra experience of course)
best luck to mr. richards!
I heard all over that Richards was getting the ball tuesday
Best wishes to Richards. Solid guy.
It didn’t get much publicity but he attended the first home game after Skaggs passing. Didn’t seek the limelight, just say there with his family.
DJ LeMahieu isn’t even the team MVP, let alone the league MVP. Media really needs to start reeling that narrative back in. His OPS isn’t even over .900, after his 4-6 game today (all singles).
Typical organization with zero direction. The Angels will be 30 + games out by year end and they are worried about getting Trout back on the field this year.
Thanks for cut and paste comment
Typical comment from a troll with zero life. haloShane will post the same thing 30 + times before the end of the year.
They aren’t worried about getting Trout on the field, Trout wants to be on the field. What makes him the best is his competitive spirit. He can’t do further damage to his foot so it all depends on Trout.
Wishing Trout a full speedy recovery.
This Trout stuff is ridiculous. MVP who never pays in a game anyone cares about.
In what other sport is this acceptable?
Tired of the world’s greatest exhibition player, play in a game that matters for once in your life before we keep handing him MVP awards
You might be new to baseball, but it’s been clear for a long time that one player can’t carry a team. So as long as Trout is the best player in the game, he’s going to keep raking in the awards. You can’t rewrite rules because you don’t like them.
The MVP being that difference maker on their team is just another one of those age old misconceptions that someone just decided was a guideline and people just accepted it without question. MVP = Most VALUABLE Player. Not the cherry on top of what is already a good team. The Yankees have played a lot of games without Judge and Stanton and are still dominating the AL because they have a ton of young talent that can easily replace them.
Ridiculous take. If Trout played for the Yankees or Astros you wouldn’t say the same thing. He has no control over the building of a ball club. His numbers are other worldly no matter what team he plays for. The Angels don’t have a Verlander or Cole so they don’t win as much as the Astros. Also starting pitchers have their own award and should not be qualified for MVP.
BS, Trout chose to stay there because he doesn’t like pressure.
How did Stanton do in New York as opposed to Miami?
An MVP shouldn’t be the guy who puts up the best stats in meaningless situations.
And that’s all Trout is ever in, except for one playoff appearence where he failed miserably
@Boogaloo You’re sort of the king of the unforced error, aren’t you?
The “meaningless situations” you reference make Trout’s accomplishments all the greater, because it is easy for opposing pitchers to pitch around him. Upton missed half the season, and never ignited in he half he played in, Ohtani is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery as a pitcher *while* functioning as a hitter, Pujols is 39 and in the final seasons of a huge career.
Trout leads the AL in HR now—imagine how many he’d hit if pitchers had to pitch to him. His OPS+ is also leading MLB (by a large margin), and the last few weeks he’s had pain from nerves damage in his foot.
Sorry you’re incapable of appreciating true greatness, instead of clinging to your myopic, parochial views.
“…just right of the Pacific.”
That’s cute Dylan!
Only AJ Preller would be dumb enough to spend 24 mil on Richards and Kinsler