Richards will compete in spring training for a spot in Chicago’s season-opening bullpen after struggling last year to an inflated 4.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 62/35 K/BB ratio across 65 1/3 innings (55 appearances) between the Blue Jays and Twins. The 31-year-old is merely emergency organizational relief depth at this stage of his career.

Richards could have refused his assignment and entered free agency, but the 31-year-old will stay in the Minnesota organization. He was mostly ineffective in his time with the Twins after being acquired at the deadline with a 13/11 K/BB and 4.15 ERA in 13 innings over 10 appearances.

If Richards had been on waivers prior to the Sept. 1 roster deadline, it’s possible he would have been claimed. The Twins, though, kept him in limbo long enough to ensure that no other team could put him on a postseason roster. Richards has a 4.55 ERA and a 62/35 K/BB in 65 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays and Twins this season.

Richards hasn’t been atrocious since coming over from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, posting a respectable 4.15 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 13/11 K/BB ratio across 13 innings (10 appearances). However, the Twins have probably seen enough and are going to explore some of their other in-house options in middle relief.