Left-hander Clayton Richard informs Nathan Baird of the Lafayette Journal & Courier that he will sign a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks and make his first minor league start with the organization this weekend.
Richard, 30, had a pair of 200-inning seasons with the Padres after coming over from the White Sox in 2009’s Jake Peavy trade, but he’s been sidelined all season while recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in February.
The former eighth-round pick has never been much of a strikeout pitcher, but has a career 4.33 ERA with 5.6 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 50 percent ground-ball rate in 773 innings for the White Sox and Padres. He’ll add some pitching depth to the D’Backs organization, though it’s still unclear what sort of timeline he would have in getting to the Majors.
briankoke
KT being KT and throwing one of “his guys” a bone.
Stephen Marrow
KT didn’t draft Richard
briankoke
I never suggested that he drafted him. He traded for him as the Padres GM.
Stephen Marrow
i know…but towers was gone before he could even see a full season from richard. i think of burroughs as a towers guy.
cjmsd
He traded for him though.
Scarr
KT did the same with Sean Burroughs too
SDOurTeamOurTown
I hope he does well. I always appreciated Richard as a player and as a good pitcher. He was a workhorse during his better days in SD and seemingly well respected in the clubhouse.
AJ Ojeda
It surprises me he signed so late into the season. There a dozen pitchers right now who shouldn’t have a job right now. I believe Clayton will do fine.