The Toronto Blue Jays have added pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson to their roster, acquiring him from the Minnesota Twins in a cash transaction. The move aims to bolster the Blue Jays' pitching depth, which has been stretched thin due to various injuries. Woods Richardson, a former Toronto prospect, returns to the organization after a stint with the Twins.
Woods Richardson, 25, was recently designated for assignment by the Twins after struggling this season, posting an 0-7 record with a 7.74 ERA over 12 games, including 10 starts. Despite his difficulties in Minnesota, Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed confidence in the pitcher's potential. "He has been a pretty good stable guy in Minnesota's rotation for a couple of years," Schneider said, suggesting that with some adjustments, Woods Richardson could find his form again.
This acquisition marks a return to the Blue Jays organization for Woods Richardson, who was initially a Toronto prospect before being traded to the Twins in 2021 as part of the deal that sent pitcher Jose Berrios to Toronto. His career in MLB includes a 12-17 record with a 4.76 ERA over 65 games for the Twins. The Blue Jays will be looking to help Woods Richardson regain his previous performance levels as they navigate their pitching needs.
The Blue Jays have also seen other roster moves, including transferring pitcher Joe Mantiply to the 60-day injured list to make space for Woods Richardson on the 40-man roster. This move highlights the team's ongoing efforts to manage their pitching staff effectively amidst player availability challenges.
