Who doesn’t love reunions?

Simeon Woods Richardson was once the key prospect the Blue Jays acquired when they traded away Marcus Stroman in 2019. Woods Richardson was a highly touted name in the Blue Jays farm system, ranking as high as third in 2020 and fourth in 2021.

The José Berríos trade, which sent Woods Richardson and then-second-ranked prospect Austin Martin to the Minnesota Twins, looks increasingly interesting in hindsight. Both Berríos and Woods Richardson are now back with the Blue Jays organization, although Berríos is expected to be sidelined until at least the middle of 2027 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

It’s still only a small sample size, but Woods Richardson has yet to allow a run in seven innings of work for the Blue Jays.

His team debut came against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 8, when he entered in relief of Adam Macko in the fifth inning, pitching four innings of relief. After Patrick Corbin struggled to get through five innings, the Blue Jays wanted to preserve their high-leverage relievers following heavy usage in the series finale against the Phillies.

Facing 13 batters and throwing 48 pitches against a tough Phillies lineup, Woods Richardson did not allow a single run. He threw 30 strikes on 48 pitches and recorded three strikeouts in relief. It was a very positive debut, especially considering the low expectations after he had been designated for assignment just days earlier by the Minnesota Twins.

His next appearance came against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park during a bullpen game after Max Scherzer landed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms. Woods Richardson was a little less sharp in this outing, entering in relief of Braydon Fisher, who also struggled as the opener.

After issuing a leadoff walk to former Blue Jay Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who promptly stole second base, Woods Richardson benefited from a flyout to Jesús Sánchez in right field and a spectacular diving catch by Davis Schneider that likely saved a run.

Following a flyout by Mickey Gasper in his first at-bat, Woods Richardson surrendered back-to-back hits to Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu. He then struck out Willson Contreras on a high fastball before walking Jarren Duran to load the bases. Thankfully, he escaped the jam when a ground ball to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base ended the inning.

Only 28 of Woods Richardson’s 55 pitches were strikes, highlighting the command issues that gradually caused the Twins to lose confidence in him and ultimately led to his departure from the organization.

With Shane Bieber expected to return shortly, Woods Richardson could become the odd man out on the pitching staff unless the Jays decide to part with Patrick Corbin to free up the roster spot in the rotation. If Woods Richardson is the one moved, he is out of minor-league options, so he would need to be DFA’d again. However, given the Blue Jays’ injury-plagued rotation, the organization may look for ways to keep him around rather than risk losing him for nothing, especially since he can’t decline the assignment to Triple-A should he pass through waivers unclaimed.

While retaining Woods Richardson may not be a top priority, there is value in keeping an innings eater with the potential to serve as a fifth or sixth starter. Considering how many injuries the Blue Jays’ starting staff has endured this season, that could be an asset the front office chooses to preserve.

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