ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Los Angeles Angels ace Garrett Richards is expected to need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him into next season, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team wasn’t expected to make an announcement on Richards’ condition until later Friday.
Yahoo Sports first reported the apparently serious blow to the Angels, who have four potential starters sidelined in various stages of recovery from arm injuries.
The 27-year-old Richards made his first opening day start for the Angels last month, cementing his rise atop the staff since his breakthrough 2014 season. He is 1-3 with a 2.34 ERA in six starts this season, repeatedly facing other teams’ aces and getting meager run support from his light-hitting teammates.
The hard-throwing right-hander already had been scratched from his scheduled start Friday with arm fatigue. Long reliever Cory Rasmus is scheduled to take his place in the opener of the Angels’ series against Tampa Bay.