Scott Richmond is on the comeback trail.
The 29 year-old began the season on the 60 day DL, following shoulder impingement during the spring. He began taking anti-inflammatories and rehabbed the injury up until the start of this month, when he joined high-A Dunedin.
Here’s his stat line after two starts:
The key for Scott is most likely fastball command and overall curveball “feel”. I originally assumed Scott would receive the Jesse Litsch treatment, which is jumping from Dunedin directly up to Las Vegas. However the plan is three starts in Dunedin, then a stint in New Hampshire and finally a call-up to LV.
Once deemed healthy Scott should rejoin the Jays in a bullpen capacity, eventually jumping into the rotation once an injury or ineffectiveness begins.
Richmond’s shoulders issue dates back to July and has been pointed to for his poor performance in the latter portion of the 2009 season. However, I wonder if Scott’s in Cito’s doghouse after reading this quote after Richmond’s final start of 2009
“Richmond pretty much struggled for three months. Tonight was no different…He had problems locating his fastball. He has to make sure to put guys away. He didn’t get it done.”
Thanks for the update, Matthias! I saw on Twitter that Richmond had another good start a couple of nights ago, so sounds like all is well. I hope we see him back on the Blue Jays roster at some point this season, maybe as a September call-up.
Who would you rather have in the rotation? Richmond or Litsch?
In the short term (close to the all-star break) I’d rather have Tallet over both. I know, bold statement.
IMO Litsch needs more time. He had an 8.10 ERA in 4 AAA starts (34 hits in 22 IP) and got lit the other night in the MLB.
Richmond could be an option in three to four more rehab starts or three weeks. I’d like to see some good K rates towards the end of Richmond’s rehab stint.
Litsch over-achieved early in his career and has created un-realistic expectations among Jays fans. He is at best a 4th or 5th starter who could potentially eat innings. Richmond is the same.
I totally forgot about Richmond thanks for the update. It sounds like he’ll be up shortly after the all-star break with all those rehab appearances.
Why won’t anyone accept that Litch didn’t overachieve. He is still down the pecking order behind Romero, Marcum (perhaps Zep and Cecil too). Noone has ever said Litsch will be the next Halladay or Stieb. He is not an ace, he is a third starter. He has done nothing to warrant a demotion to the bullpen. He should be a solid mid-rotation dude for the years to come barring injury and weight problems.
As for Richmond, off the DL and onto the junk heap.