Former trusted Blue Jays reliever has rough Phillies intro after rushed debut

It wasn’t that way back when Trevor Richards was probably the most trusted arms out of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. The right-handed veteran was picked up in a July 2021 commerce when the Blue Jays despatched Rowdy Tellez to the Milwaukee Brewers for Richards and Bowden Francis.

Richards would go on to pitch in 195 video games for the Blue Jays between 2021-2024 which included beginning 9 video games, ending 25 extra, by no means incomes a save, however being relied upon to be “mister everything” that they wanted out of him when referred to as upon.

But the Philadelphia Phillies did not get to see that aspect of him in his first look with the membership on Thursday (Apr. 30). Called as much as the large league roster to assist out the workforce of their double header in opposition to the San Francisco Giants, Richards got here into the sport and straight away, gave up the lead.

With one on and no person out within the sixth, Richards obtained Eric Hasse to strikeout, however that was adopted by a Drew Gilbert double that obtained Jung Hoo Lee over to 3rd, who had walked to steer off the inning. Heliot Ramos struck out and Richards had an opportunity to get out of the inning along with his Phillies nonetheless forward 4-2.

But Richards walked his former Blue Jays’ teammate Matt Chapman to load the bases after which Luis Arraez singled out on a line drive to proper area that scored each Lee and Gilbert to tie the sport. Richards then obtained Casey Schmitt to pop as much as finish the inning. Richards then went again out and had a clear seventh inning, and likewise obtained the following two hitters out that he confronted within the high of the eighth earlier than being changed by Brad Keller.

Richards hasn’t been the identical pitcher since leaving the Blue Jays

Not the worst debut, however it actually might have gone higher for the 32-year-old who was making his first pitching look within the massive leagues since July 23, 2025. During that season, Richards spent a lot of the 12 months within the minor leagues, pitching in three video games for the Kansas City Royals in June, adopted by a two recreation stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks in July.

Richards signed a minor league contract with the Phillies in the offseason and has spent the primary month of the 12 months with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’s put collectively constructive leads to the 9 video games he is pitched in. With 14 innings beneath his belt, Richards has a 1.93 ERA and 26 strikeouts.

That’s usually been Richards’ calling card. While he was going to surrender his justifiable share of hits and walks, contemplating his profession 1.34 WHIP – he has additionally maintained a comparatively excessive strikeout price. His profession quantity stands at 9.8 SO/9. In 2023 with the Blue Jays he racked up 105 K’s in 72.2 innings. The 12 months earlier than he had 82 in 64 innings. But he stopped producing these excessive strikeout numbers following the ’23 season on the MLB degree, main him struggling to take care of a job within the massive leagues.

At the 2024 commerce deadline, the Blue Jays have been under .500 and on their strategy to a forgettable, shedding season. So they began attempting to recuperate as many property as they might, shipping Richards to the Minnesota Twins for INF/OF Jay Harry. The 23-year-old started the 12 months with Double-A New Hampshire and thru 14 video games with the Fisher Cats, Harry is hitting .357/.400/.452.

Throwing 2.1 innings, with three strikeouts is not the worst debut and the Phillies ended up with a 6-5 win in ten innings. But for a Phillies workforce that has struggled out of the gate, they will be in search of guys who can actually elevate their roster at this level.