The Los Angeles Angels will be short one key pitcher when they take the field on Opening Day as Garrett Richards is still working his way back from a knee injury he sustained in 2014.
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Richards suffered the ailment in August of last season, but has slowly worked his way back and is even set to participate in pitching and fielding drills soon. Still, Richards isn't expected to play until after Opening Day, likely three-to-four weeks into the season.
"It's not going to be Opening Day, let's put it that way," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday per ESPN Los Angeles. "He knows it, and it's great that he's not going to be able to rush it because our medical staff's not going to let him. There's a progression. He has to pass every plateau. It's great that he's going to shoot for being ready. He's working very hard to be ready Opening Day, but he's not going to be ready Opening Day."
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The Angels visit the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 6 to open up the season.
While Game 1 is no but it is no longer a realistic timeframe, Richards was set to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.
"That's a substantial step," Scioscia said. "I think he's transitioning and getting close to what a regular spring training would be. He's almost at the end of what you would consider rehab...You can try to project, he's 2-to-3 weeks behind some guys. So if that progression is prorated, you get kind of a window where you can expect him during the season. That's what we're looking at."
Richards, who signed a one-year $3.2 million contract last month to avoid salary arbitration, suffered the knee injury on Aug. 20 when he was running to cover first base at Fenway Park in a game against the Boston Red Sox.
While there is no exact date when Richards will be available to return, the Angels are hopeful he'll make some spring training starts.
"There are some things he has to do," Scioscia said. "It's tough to give a date right now. He still has some things that are important that he has to get through. We expect him to, but you don't know how he's going to come out."
Richards was a huge part of the Angles success last season as they finished with a 98-64 record before hitting a wall in the playoffs without the right-hander. Los Angeles was swept by the eventual American League champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS.
Richards, 26, went 13-4 in 2014 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.038 WHIP and 164 strikeouts in 168.2 innings pitched.
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