Philadelphia Phillies sign former Toronto Blue Jays right hander

The transaction showed up on the official MiLB log on December 11, with Richards assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. CBS Sports later highlighted the move and framed it as simple pitching insurance.

This is the kind of signing you barely notice in January, then suddenly it matters when the first reliever tweaks a shoulder. A minor league contract keeps the risk low, but it also means Richards has to earn everything.

Trevor Richards is 32, and he has lived the swingman life for years, starting some, relieving more, and surviving on feel and deception. MLB's player bio notes he originally signed as a non-drafted free agent, which tracks with how he keeps finding doors back open.

Honestly, Phillies fans have seen enough bullpen chaos to appreciate any arm that can take the ball without drama.

Richards' best case in this organization is pretty clear, give them multi-inning cover and keep the game from snowballing in the middle frames. His changeup-first style can play when hitters are geared up for velocity and trying to lift.

CBS noted he spent most of last season in the minors, bouncing between organizations and only briefly reaching the majors. That's not a guarantee of anything, but it does suggest he's still close enough to be a phone call away.

If the Phillies like what they see in camp, Richards can be the kind of depth arm who saves the bullpen after a short start. You do not plan a season around that pitcher, but you absolutely need one.

Now it's on Richards to make Lehigh Valley boring, in the best way, steady outings, quick innings, and no free bases. If he does that, the next milestone is simple, get his name onto a real big-league game log in Philadelphia.