LA Angels Move Garrett Richards to 60-Day DL

The LA Angels are no strangers to losing starting pitchers to injury. It seems like each year out one of their starters misses significant time. This seasonthe injury bug has bitten Garrett Richards… again.

The LA Angels were hoping to be this year’s Cinderella team. The key to accomplishing this would be the health of their starting rotation. Most important of this group would be the right arm of Garrett Richards. However, the team will have to overcome that, as Richards has been sent to the 60-day disabled list.

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Richards left his first start of the season, one that he was dominating, early due to a bicep strain. Richards had thrown 4.2 shutout innings and had four strikeouts when the training staff pulled him. This came after Richards started only six games in 2016 due to a tear in an elbow ligament. He was able to avoid Tommy John surgery after successful stem cell treatment.

In a statement made by the Angels, they said, “[Richards’] most recent assessment and exam showed mild improvement in biceps strength and also irritation of the cutaneous nerve which is contributed to his strength deficit.”

Richards now joins four other Halo pitchers on the 60-day DL. Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano are both out for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Huston Street (shoulder) and Vicente Campos (nerve irritation) also reside on the long-term DL.

Richards currently has no timetable for his return. However, the best-case scenario is that he is fully healthy by early June and is back in the rotation then. The Angels staff will almost certainly be as cautious as ever with Richards.

He is currently 28 and has not had a fully healthy season since 2014. He is quickly approaching the end of his prime, and is the only player in the Angels’ organization who is truly capable of being an ace.

The Angels are not off to the start they hoped for. They need Richards to be back in their rotation as soon as possible if they hope to contend for a playoff spot.