The Blue Jays turned to a familiar face in Simeon Woods Richardson to stabilize their rotation with multiple stars sidelined by injuries.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation has been completely decimated by injuries, and they’re hoping that a potential answer for that is a familiar arm who was once in their system. The Blue Jays are reacquiring righty Simeon Woods Richardson from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations, hoping that the organizational familiarity will translate.
Woods Richardson was designated for assignment by the Twins back on Saturday after going 0-7 in this year’s campaign with a 7.74 ERA through 12 games and 10 starts. Unfortunately, he leads the majors with seven losses and 41 earned runs. Toronto didn’t have to give up much for him, and it’s not exactly clear what his role will be yet.
He previously was in the minors for the Blue Jays as part of the trade for Marcus Stroman back in 2019, with the prospect coming from the New York Mets who selected him in the second round in 2018.
To read more about the addition and what it might mean for Toronto’s rotation, here is the full story from Blue Jays Roundtable writer Brady Farkas.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider isn’t quite sure whether Woods Richarson will slot in as a long relief or starter, as the two possibilities he listed. But he is banking on this season being more of an anomaly and not what Woods Richardson is capable of.
He pitched a 4.11 ERA in 245 innings from 2024 to 2025, and showed upwards growth through the 2025 campaign, but seems to have completely backslid in 2026. Toronto’s hope is that his history within their organization gives them a better glimpse at his more pointed strengths than other, less familiar organizations who might not be willing to take that same flyer.
