Angels pitcher Garrett Richards reportedly has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is expected to need Tommy John surgery, according to a report from Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Lefty Martin Perez would have Tommy John surgery in May, and staff ace Yu Darvish would miss the final seven weeks with an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery in March.
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The Angels acquired Heaney in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 that sent second baseman Howie Kendrick to the National League.
Richards was scratched form his scheduled start Friday with what was originally termed “fatigue”, but it appears he is dealing with a far more serious issue after being examined Thursday. Losing Richards and Heaney long-term would be devastating for the Angels.
With Heaney, Richards and C.J. Wilson all on the shelf, L.A. must find some starting options in the minors to go along with Jered Weaver, Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano.
Richards has a 2.34 ERA in six starts to start the 2016 season, and went 28-16 with a 3.18 ERA in 58 starts in 2014 and 2015.
He made one start this season for the Angels, allowing four runs in six innings.
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That’s only magnified by related news suggesting that left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney is now in the disabled list with what’s being called a a strained flexor muscle.
