Richards fought with his mechanics during Sunday's spring game against the Braves, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. He allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over two innings.

EDGE Analysis

This was second straight labored outing for Richards, who allowed two runs and five baserunners during his first Grapefruit League outing. "Out of his delivery. Obviously we don't like the walks," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "It's a different delivery. There's a few things that [pitching coach Dave Bush] has noticed in the two outings. It's just a matter of, 'Keep working hard.' We're good with the stuff." Cora confirmed with the pitcher that there's no injury, and he said the coaching staff is just getting to know the right-hander who signed with Boston in January.

Richards allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over two innings in Monday's game against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Richards labored through the first inning, in which the Braves did all their damage. They could have done more, but the Red Sox rolled the inning after Richards threw 23 pitches. The right-hander settled down in the second frame, retiring the side in order on seven pitches. Richards, who is projected to serve as Boston's No. 3 starter, told Ian Browne of MLB.com that he was too mechanical in the first inning before being more aggressive in the second.

Richards will start Boston's second spring game Monday against Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Red Sox manager Alex Cora mapped out the first two games of spring with Nathan Eovaldi set to start Sunday, followed by Richards. These two are expected to occupy spots in the rotation, but once the regular season drops, Eduardo Rodriguez is considered the team's No. 1 pitcher.

Richards signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards was in active discussions with Boston recently, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement, pending a physical. The right-hander lost out on his spot in the starting rotation with the Padres in 2020 and posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 51.1 innings across 14 appearances (10 starts) during the regular season. Richards should compete for a rotation spot with his new club heading into the 2021 campaign.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler suggested Wednesday that Richards will remain in the bullpen regardless of the status of injured starter Mike Clevinger (biceps), Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clevinger was pulled due to a recurrence of biceps tightness after only one inning Wednesday, putting his postseason availability in doubt and potentially opening up a spot in the rotation. Despite the possible need for a replacement starter, Tingler suggested that the team's plan for Richards to pitch out of the bullpen will remain unchanged. The comment is somewhat surprising given Richards' general effectiveness as a starter this season; he gave up three earned runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts.

Richards will work out of the bullpen for the final stretch of the regular season, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander worked as a reliever during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing a solo homer with one strikeout and one walk over one inning. The Padres have three scheduled off days over the final 11 days of the season, so the team won't require a fifth starter until the playoffs. Richards could rejoin the rotation during the final weekend series, depending how the Friars want to structure the rotation entering the playoffs.

Richards allowed a run on two hits and two walks and struck out three over 4.1 innings in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Giants. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Richards allowed an RBI dounle to Mike Yastrzemski in the second inning, but that was the only damage on his line. Unfortunately, the Padres' offense didn't produce enough to put Richards in position for a win. The 32-year-old lowered his ERA to 4.27 with a 1.29 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 46.1 innings this season. Richards is expected to face the Mariners on Saturday in his next start.

Richards will start Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was originally slated to start Friday's contest, but the first two games of the series were postponed after the Giants produced a positive test for COVID-19, which has since been determined to have been a false positive. Mike Clevinger will start the matinee for the Friars.

Richards' start scheduled for Friday was postponed after a player for the Giants tested positive for COVID-19.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's game was called off just before the first pitch due to the positive COVID-19 test. Contact tracing hasn't been done yet, and it's unclear how the postponement will impact the Padres' schedule going forward.

Richards (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out nine in seven innings in Sunday's win over the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Richards had allowed a combined seven runs over 6.1 innings in his last three starts, but he was able to quiet the Athletics' bats quite well Sunday. Only two of the seven hits he allowed went for extra bases, including Sean Murphy's seventh-inning solo shot. Richards now has a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 42 innings this season. The 32-year-old's next turn on the mound is expected to be Friday versus the Giants.