SURPRISE, Ariz. — Free-agent right-hander Garrett Richards signed a one-year contract Sunday with the Texas Rangers, who’re anticipated to make use of the previous starter in a task pitching a number of innings out of the bullpen.
The deal ensures Richards $5.5 million, together with his $4.5 million wage this season. The Rangers additionally maintain a $9 million membership choice for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.
Richards was 7-8 with a 4.87 ERA with the Boston Red Sox final season, when he began 22 video games into early August earlier than making his final 18 appearances out of the bullpen because the Purple Sox closed in on a postseason berth.
“There are certain days you have nothing and you’ve got to give us five innings, somehow, someway, you have to find a way,” Boston supervisor Alex Cora stated in July, when Richards was nonetheless part of the beginning rotation.
Richards repeatedly acknowledged that his struggles final yr have been tied to a midseason crackdown by Main League Baseball on the usage of unlawful grip enhancers by pitchers. He was usually fairly open in media availabilities about MLB’s selections and the outcomes throughout baseball.
The 33-year-old Richards has performed 11 main league seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Angels from 2011 to 2018. He was with San Diego for 2 seasons earlier than final yr with Boston. His profession report is 54-59 with a 3.81 ERA over 227 video games (150 begins).
To make room for Richards on their roster, the Rangers positioned right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hernandez on the 60-day injured record. He’s rehabbing from Tommy John ligament reconstruction surgical procedure on his proper elbow in April 2021.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
