Cubs Release Reliever Trevor Richards

The Chicago Cubs have officially released right-hander Trevor Richards, cutting ties with the veteran reliever after a brief stint in their minor league system. Richards, who signed with Chicago in January, made five Spring Training appearances as a non-roster invitee, logging five innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts. However, his performance at Triple-A Iowa was less convincing, as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) over 8 2/3 innings, striking out 12 but issuing seven walks—a concerning 17.3% walk rate.
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Richards, known for his fastball-changeup combination, has spent most of the past four seasons in the majors, including a solid run with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2021-23, where he generated high strikeout numbers but struggled with command and home run prevention. Last summer, the Twins acquired Richards via trade, but after walking 11 batters and throwing seven wild pitches in 13 innings, Minnesota ultimately designated him for assignment in late August. Despite his control issues, Richards has proven durable, surpassing 60 innings pitched in each season from 2021-24. Given his ability to generate strikeouts, he could still land another minor league opportunity with a team seeking bullpen depth.