Reliever Trevor Richards fills a need for the Blue Jays. They aren’t done yet

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This article was published 07/07/2021 (1595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Had Trevor Richards shown up in the Blue Jays clubhouse just three weeks ago, he would have been joining a very different set of relievers.

The 28-year-old right-hander arrived in time for Wednesday night’s game against the Orioles in Baltimore, a day after a trade that sent first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez to the Milwaukee Brewers — who acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays in May.

“You’re never really expecting it during the middle of the year, especially after you just have been traded,” Richards said. “It’s a shock a little bit, not sure what’s to come, but it’s also exciting … new start, new team. New atmosphere’s always good, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Richards is the third reliever the Jays have brought in on a major-league contract since June 19, when they dealt pitching prospect Troy Miller to the New York Mets for Jacob Barnes. Sidearmer Adam Cimber joined the club from the Miami Marlins 10 days later, part of the return for infielder Joe Panik.

The day Barnes became a Jay, the relief corps also included Jeremy Beasley, Anthony Castro, Tyler Chatwood, Anthony Kay, Tim Mayza, Patrick Murphy, Joel Payamps, Jordan Romano and Tayler Saucedo. Six of them had ERAs between 4.50 and 11.57.

The immediate impact of the recent moves has been positive. Neither Barnes nor Cimber had giving up anything in a combined 9 1/3 innings of work through Tuesday, and the bullpen’s collective ERA — including Richards’ 3.69 in two stops before Toronto — was down to 3.80. Trent Thornton was demoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Richards — who has a low-90s fastball, changeup and a slider that’s effective against lefties and righties — expects to continue to work one- or two-inning stints in middle relief.

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“He said he was pitching around the sixth, seventh inning, one inning at a time, sometimes four or five outs,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That’s good to know. (I) think we’ll use him the same way.”

The Jays are also optimistic about finding relief help from within. Southpaws Ryan Borucki and Tommy Milone are both on rehab assignments, while veteran right-hander John Axford, who signed a minor-league deal in late June, is impressing at Triple-A. However, right-hander Julian Merryweather, working his way back from an oblique strain, was recently shut down briefly after feeling something in his side.

“He’s still playing catch, playing long toss,” Montoyo said. “He’s still got a way to go.”

There is room for at least one more hard-throwing, high-leverage reliever. The Jays’ bullpen might look different once again by the July 30 trade deadline.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy