The Cubs announced after Friday’s game with the Marlins the team had acquired LHP Clayton Richard from the Pirates for cash considerations.
Clayton Richard will make his Cubs’ debut on Saturday night against the Marlins.
To make room on the active roster, the Cubs optioned RHP Donn Roach to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs have not announced the roster move necessary to add Richard to the 40-man roster. The Cubs currently have 40 players on the 40-man roster. The easy move would be to transfer INF Tommy La Stella to the 60-day DL to create a spot for Richard.
The Cubs have been linked to LHP Clayton Richard for several years. Richard was pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates’ system after signing a minor league contract with Pittsburgh last December. Richard posted a 4-2 record in nine starts with a 2.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. In 56 innings, Richard allowed 20 runs, 13 earned, on 53 hits with 13 walks and 25 strikeouts.
In 10 starts in the Pirates’ system (High-A, Triple-A) this season, Richard is 4-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. The 31-year old lefty spent last year in the Diamondbacks’ organization recovering from shoulder surgery in July 2013.
Clayton Richard last pitched in the big leagues in 2013 for the Padres. Richard was 2-5 in 12 games, 11 starts, with a 7.01 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 6.54 FIP.
The Padres acquired Richard from the White Sox in July 2009 in the deal that sent RHP Jake Peavy from San Diego to the South Side.
Jed Hoyer has a history with Clayton Richard from their days together in San Diego. Over five seasons with the Padres, Richard was 40-39 with a 4.16 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 4.46 FIP.
As Carrie Muskat pointed out, Clayton Richard will be the 2,000th player in Cubs’ history.
Donn Roach was returned to Iowa after making one start and allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.
• Clayton Richard’s Page on Baseball-Reference