The Blue Jays made a roster move on Wednesday, recalling right-hander CJ Van Eyk and designating Simeon Woods Richardson for assignment in the corresponding transaction.
Woods Richardson’s second run with Toronto ended after a stretch that was decent overall but unraveled badly in his latest appearance. The 25-year-old right-hander had posted a 3.93 ERA over 18 1/3 innings since returning to the organization, but he was tagged for six runs in one inning against the Royals last time out. Control has also been an issue: he has walked 15.8% of the hitters he’s faced, while striking out 18.4%, a rate that sits about four percentage points below league average.
Toronto originally dealt Woods Richardson to Minnesota in the 2021 José Berríos trade, then brought him back earlier this year after the Twins designated him for assignment. The Blue Jays acquired the 6-foot-3, 210-pound righty for cash, later DFA’d him themselves, and managed to sneak him through waivers.
He was called back up on Aug. 10.
His work in Minnesota was more steady than flashy. From 2024-25, Woods Richardson threw 245 innings with a 4.11 ERA, a 21.5% strikeout rate and a 9% walk rate.
But the profile came with a built-in problem: below-average velocity on a relatively straight four-seamer that doesn’t generate many swings and misses, which has made home runs a recurring headache. When things have gone right, his splitter - and to a lesser degree his slider - have helped him miss enough bats to cover that flaw.
This year, though, the strikeout numbers have cratered. His 13.2% strikeout rate and 6.9% swinging-strike rate are both career lows and bottom-of-the-scale marks, leaving the fastball vulnerability exposed.
With the trade deadline already passed, Toronto’s next step is waivers. Other clubs will have 48 hours to claim Woods Richardson, and because he’s out of minor league options, any team that grabs him has to keep him on the major league roster. He could appeal to a club looking for rotation help or bullpen length, though the Blue Jays themselves are short on both and still chose to move on.
If no one claims him, Woods Richardson can refuse an outright assignment to Triple-A and become a free agent. Even if he accepts the minor league route, he’ll be eligible for minor league free agency after the season.
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