Richards cleared waivers and was released by the Rangers on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards was designated for assignment by Texas last week and is now on the open market. The veteran right-hander has a 5.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season, and he's likely to generate some interest in free agency.

The Rangers designated Richards for assignment Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Texas elected to cut bait with Richards after he allowed 15 runs (14 earned) in 11 innings over his most recent seven appearances out of the bullpen. The 34-year-old right-hander will have the ability to decline an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock if he clears waivers, so it's possible his time in the Rangers organization is over. That being said, Richards may struggle to catch on elsewhere in the majors again in 2022 after he turned in a 5.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB across 42.2 innings with Texas.

Richards earned the save against the Athletics on Wednesday, retiring the only batter he faced on one pitch.

EDGE Analysis

Jon Gray and Matt Bush combined for eight scoreless frames for Texas, and Jose Leclerc was brought in to mop up a five-run ninth-inning lead. Leclerc couldn't accomplish the task, however, serving up a pair of homers and allowing the tying run to come to the plate with two outs. Richards was subsequently summoned from the bullpen, and he got Stephen Vogt to fly out to end the threat. The save was Richards' first of the season and sixth in his 12-year big-league career. Brett Martin is the favorite for saves for Texas at the moment, though Richards has pitched well enough of late to earn more high-leverage opportunities -- over his past four games, he has two holds in addition to the save.

Richards (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Rangers fell to Atlanta 6-3, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the nod as the opener, Richards served up a two-run shot to Austin Riley, and Texas was never able to climb out of the early hole. The 33-year-old righty has had a shaky start to the season that includes a 16.2 percent walk rate in nine innings, and Richards should remain in a low-leverage role until he begins to turn things around.

Richards will serve as the opener ahead of primary pitcher Spencer Howard during Friday's game against Atlanta, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards has struck out seven in seven scoreless innings over his last five appearances, and he'll work as an opener for the second time in his last three outings. He pitched two innings as an opener against the Athletics on Sunday.

Richards struck out one in two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk in a 2-0 loss Sunday in Oakland. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Richards allowed consecutive singles to start the game and worked his way out of trouble with a flyout and a double-play ball. In the second, he pitched around a two-out walk. The veteran is no stranger to starting but today's appearance was planned as an opener with Spenser Howard receiving the bulk of the innings. After allowing two runs in his first appearance, the righty has pitched five consecutive scoreless frames.

Richards will be the opener for Sunday's game against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Being the first pitcher on the mound should be no problem for Richards, who's started 150 major-league games. He won't pitch very deep in this one, however, as he's topped out at one inning in his four relief appearances this season. Spencer Howard (finger) is expected to follow him out of the bullpen.

Richards allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Richards, who began the season on the injured list with a blister, was activated Thursday and put immediately to work in a low-stress situation. He allowed a two-run home run to Max Stassi. Richards is expected to be a multi-inning reliever and has starter potential, having made 150 career starts.

Richards (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Richards began the regular season on the injured list, but he made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out one in one inning. He should serve mainly as a low-leverage reliever for the Rangers now that he's back to full health.

Richards (finger) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Richards opened the season on the 10-day injured list with a blister on one of his fingers, so he's not expected to require more than one rehab appearance before being deemed ready to return from the shelf. If all goes well during Tuesday's outing, Richards will likely rejoin the Rangers and slot into the bullpen for the team's four-game series with the Angels that begins Thursday.