News: First baseman Chris Richard, who spent last season in the Rays organization, announced his retirement Friday, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
Analysis: Richard put up good numbers in the minors last year, but at age 36, he didn't have much to offer a major-league team. Obviously, he has no Fantasy value.
News: The Rays have assigned OF Fernando Perez, C John Jaso, C Jose Lobaton and 1B Chris Richard to minor league camp.
Analysis: Perez is a speedster who would have had some value in deeper AL-only Rotisserie leagues had he made the team. The others can continue to be ignored in Fantasy play.
News: The Rays signed Chris R. Richard to a minor league contract.
Analysis: Richard has pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues.
News: The Rays outrighted first baseman Chris R. Richard to the minor leagues Friday, removing him from the 40-man roster.
Analysis: Richard is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues.
News: The Rays recalled first baseman Chris R. Richard from the minor leagues Monday.
Analysis: Richard is nothing more than a part-timer for the Rays and the deepest of AL-only leagues down the stretch. He has been organizational depth for years.
News: The Rays didn't officially make any roster moves Friday, but they told right-handed relievers Grant Balfour and Scott Munter, outfielders Chris Richard, Jon Weber and John Rodriguez, catcher Josh Paul and Mike DiFelice and infielder Andy Cannizaro that they will not make the team. The cuts won't be finalized until after Saturday's exhibition finale against the Reds in Sarasota. "We're hold going to hold off on the specifics until we get through the game," Rays vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, adding that injuries or other last-minute developments could force a change of plans.
Analysis: Some of these players have shown potential in the past, particularly Rodriguez, but none figure to make much of an impact in the majors this year if they couldn't even make the Rays roster. Leave all on waivers.
News: The Rays signed free-agent catcher Hector Gimenez, and re-signed free-agent outfielders Chris Richard and Jon Weber to a minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.
Analysis: Richard spent the entire year with Triple-A Durham and hit .284 (97-for-342) with 14 homers, 57 RBI and 24 doubles in 102 games. He split time between the outfield (59 games) and first base (33). His .384 on-base percentage and .488 slugging percentage both ranked second among Bulls hitters. He has a decent bat, but he is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues on Draft Day.
News: LHP Casey Fossum, who was home attending the birth of his third child, will rejoin the bullpen Friday, and the Rays plan to drop a pitcher (RHP Jae Kuk Ryu?) and add a position player to their short-handed bench. Candidates for promotion include INFs Joel Guzman (.246, 13 HRs, 48 RBI at Triple-A Durham) and Ben Zobrist (.276, 7, 22), and non-roster OFs Chris Richard (.283, 13, 51) and Justin Ruggiano (.287, 13, 54).
Analysis: None of the players mentioned really deserve Fantasy ownership outside of larger AL-only formats, so don't get overly excited about these call-ups.
News: The Royals optioned SS Angel Sanchez and LHP Juan Cedeno to Double-A Wichita; Re-assigned 1B Chris Richard, C Adam Donachie, RHP Luis Cota and RHP Ryan Baerlocher to Minor League camp.
Analysis: Richard, 31, has pop and the Royals had room for someone with some run-production potential. He was expected to compete for a roster spot, but now he officially has no value on Draft Day.
News: The Royals agreed to terms with C Alberto Castillo, OF Emil Brown, 3B Mike Coolbaugh, RHP Joe Nelson, 1B Chris Richard, OF Kerry Robinson, RHP Victor Santos and SS Wilson Valdez on minor-league contracts. They also added SS Angel Sanchez to the 40-man roster.
Analysis: Richard, 31, has pop and the Royals have room for someone with some run-production potential. He will head to spring training with a shot at earning a big-league spot. He went .301-14-66-67-5 in Triple-A in 2005 and could develop into a late-round sleeper in AL-only leagues.
News: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Chris Richard, who has been plagued by injuries the past three years, hit two home runs in the "B" game on Monday. He was 3-for-4 with a walk. Buck Showalter said, "He's been impressive. He could be a good sign for us."
Analysis: Richard is trying to win a spot as the Rangers' fourth of fifth outfielder. He'll provide minimal Fantasy value unless Kevin Mench or David Dellucci misses an extended period of time.
News: Chris Richard will have surgery Wednesday to repair a tear in his left shoulder, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He missed most of this season with an unrelated shoulder operation.
Analysis: Richard, a free agent, will have to find a team willing to take a chance on him in the spring. He's unlikely to have any Fantasy value in 2004.
News: The Rockies reinstated Chris Richard (shoulder surgery) from the disabled list Tuesday and outrighted him off their 40-man roster. The Denver Post reports that an MRI taken three weeks ago showed damage in his shoulder that is expected to require further surgery. Richard declined the assignment and opted free agency.
Analysis: The Rockies still have interest in retaining Richard, but his baseball career is now in question due to this injury. He might miss a significant portion of the 2004 season.
News: Chris Richard (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Saturday.
Analysis: He is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery.
News: Richard underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum. The Rocky Mountain News says he will have his arm in a sling for five weeks before beginning rehabilitation.
Analysis: Richard is expected to miss the rest of the season.
News: The Rocky Mountain News says Richard has hamstring tightness. The injury is not considered to be serious.
Analysis: Richard is not expected to be a starter for Colorado, and he has minimal Fantasy value.
News: Richard was traded to the Rockies on Tuesday. He has not played the outfield since 2001 while recovering from shoulder surgery. "I haven't made throws from the outfield on consecutive days," said Richard. "I'm sure the shoulder will be able to handle it. I hope the Rockies realize that I'm less than 100 percent throwing from the outfield."
Analysis: Richard is a risky Fantasy pick who won't be a regular for the Rockies.
News: Chris Richard might be sent to Baltimore, along with Willis Roberts, in exchange for prospect Jack Cust and relief pitcher Todd Jones, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Analysis: A move to Colorado would increase Richard's Fantasy value tremendously. He has explosive power potential, but has been limited by injuries.
News: Richard hit his second homer in as many major league games this season on Thursday. Richard had a two-run shot in the fifth inning, one day after going deep on the first pitch he saw Wednesday night after he was activated from the 60-day disabled list following offseason left shoulder surgery. "I don't think we expect him to hit a home run every night, but we'll take it," Mike Hargrove said. "Chris is swinging the bat well, and hopefully it continues." Fantasy leaguers should activate him as soon as possible.
Analysis:
News: Richard, activated from the 60-day disabled list before Wednesday's game, homered on the first major league pitch he saw this season. He finished the game 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. He had been sidelined all season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Consider picking him up if you need hitting in an AL-only league.
Analysis:
News: Richard, recovering from shoulder surgery, hit his fifth homer in 12 games at Triple-A Rochester on Monday. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will likely activate him from his injury rehab assignment within a few days. Monitor his status. Richard has the ability to produce good power numbers once he returns to the major leagues.
Analysis:
News: The Orioles activated Richard from the 60-day disabled list Wednesday and optioned OF Luis Matos to Triple-A Rochester. Richard will be used mostly as a reserve and will have minimal value.
Analysis:
News: Richard has been cleared to resume his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Monday. Barring any further setbacks, Richard might be activated in the first week of August.
Analysis:
News: Richard's rehabilitation has been shut down through Sunday because of persistent pain in his surgically-repaired left shoulder. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles' medical staff would like to review a recent MRI before allowing Richard to continue. Continue to follow Richard's progress. He is a decent Fantasy hitter and might have some value in AL-only leagues when he is ready to return.
Analysis:
News: According to The Baltimore Sun, Richard is scheduled to return to the Orioles in approximately three weeks. He is recovering from left shoulder surgery in November. He started a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Orioles affiliate in Sarasota on Monday. He is reportedly having trouble throwing, but is able to serve as the designated hitter. He is expected to report to Double-A Bowie on Wednesday and then to Class A Aberdeen on Monday to be re-evaluated. Barring any setbacks, he will then report to Triple-A Rochester and then he will be activated by the Orioles. Richard is a decent Fantasy hitter and has some value in AL-only leagues when he is ready to return.
Analysis:
News: Richard, who is expected to begin the season on the 60-day as he recovers from shoulder surgery, is hitting off a tee and told the Baltimore Sun he may be able to return before the All-Star break. "I'm not going to give any limits on it," he said. "We'll have to see how I feel after I start throwing and how I'm progressing when I get into doing baseball stuff. But I don't see it being that long." Richard is only worth taking in AL-only leagues that allow reserves.
Analysis:
News: The Orioles activated Richard off the 15-day disabled list Thursday and sent OF Larry Bigbie back to Double-A Bowie. Richard had been sidelined since June 19 with a bruised knee.
Analysis:
News: Richard might be activated from the disabled list on July 5, according to The Baltimore Sun. He has begun jogging but hasn't sprinted. Richard must also have fluid drained from his knee Tuesday. We wouldn't advise using him this week. Reserve him on your roster.
Analysis:
News: The Orioles placed Richard on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a badly bruised right knee. He hadn't played since suffering the injury when he crashed into the outfield wall Tuesday trying to make a catch. Reserve Richard for now.
Analysis:
News: Richard, who injured his right knee on Tuesday, avoided the disabled list Wednesday after an MRI revealed no structural damage. The knee remains badly swollen, however, and Richard is out indefinitely.
Analysis:
News: Richard suffered a bruised right knee during Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after colliding with the wall while chasing a fly ball. He is scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day.
Analysis:
News: Richard is making progress in his recovery from a strained hamstring and could return to the lineup on Tuesday. "It's good. I can play," Richard told The Baltimore Sun. "I ran today and it felt fine." He has missed three straight games because of the injury.
Analysis:
News: Richard missed a second straight game Sunday with a strained left hamstring. He's listed as day-to-day. Jeff Conine will play right field in his absence.
Analysis:
News: Richard left Friday's game against the Montreal Expos in the fifth inning with a mild strain of his left hamstring. He is listed as day-to-day.
Analysis:
News: With David Segui relegated to playing DH due to a nagging hamstring injury, Richard will see some playing time at first base for the Orioles. The young slugger has shown some power in the past, but is struggling (.241 0 HR, 1 RBI) so far this season. Richard should be considered only in deeper Fantasy leagues where starters are at a real premium.
Analysis:
News: Richard sat out Thursday's game against the Red Sox with a sore right shoulder. He is normally used as a designated hitter but hurt his shoulder playing right field Wednesday. Richard is listed as day to day but there is a possibility that he will sit out the three-game series against the Indians over the weekend to rest his shoulder. Brady Anderson took over in right field and Jeff Conine was used as the DH. Richard should be back in the lineup next week.
Analysis:
News: The Orioles will start Richard in place of the injured David Segui during Friday's exhibition opener. He had been suffering from a strained quadriceps muscle, but should be all right to play. Richard is a player you should watch closely this spring, as he could be a major bargain at your draft.
Analysis:
News: Richard's strained right quadriceps muscle has shown improvement, and he should be able to play in the exhibition opener on Friday. He should be fine for the season and could be a bargain with Albert Belle's injury status up in the air. Richard is a good young hitter who could find himself substantial playing time this year.
Analysis:
News: Richard could find himself as the Orioles' starting right fielder this season if Albert Belle is deemed unable to play because of a degenerative hip condition. Richard, who may be Baltimore's best prospect, hit 13 home runs and knocked in 36 RBIs after being acquired by the O's last season. Keep tabs on Belle's availability for before deciding on Richard's Fantasy value.
Analysis:
News: Richard could find himself as the Orioles' starting right fielder this season if Albert Belle is deemed unable to play because of a degenerative hip condition. Richard, who may be Baltimore's best prospect, hit 13 home runs and knocked in 36 RBIs after being acquired by the O's last season. Keep tabs on Belle's availability for before deciding on Richard's Fantasy value.
Analysis:
