The Seattle Mariners have made a strategic addition to their pitching staff by signing Simeon Woods Richardson, a right-handed pitcher who has spent time with both the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins. This move comes as the Mariners seek to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Woods Richardson, who is 25 years old, has had a varied career thus far, primarily serving as a starting pitcher but recently being utilized in a relief role by the Blue Jays. His signing was announced by the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, on Wednesday. This indicates that the Mariners are looking to provide Woods Richardson with an opportunity to regain his form and potentially contribute at the Major League level.
Prior to his signing, Woods Richardson was waived by the Blue Jays, a move that followed a challenging season for the young pitcher. He made eight appearances in relief for Toronto, where he posted a solid 3.93 ERA, striking out 18.4% of the batters he faced. Despite these respectable numbers, Woods Richardson's overall performance this season has been underwhelming, leading to his departure from the Blue Jays.
Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors noted that Woods Richardson's journey has been difficult this year. He was a second-round pick and a highly regarded prospect, showing promise during his time with the Twins from 2024 to 2025. During that period, he achieved a combined ERA of 4.11 with a strikeout rate of 21.5% across 51 appearances, most of which were as a starter. This performance earned him a spot in Minnesota’s starting rotation at the beginning of the 2026 season.
Woods Richardson began the current season with the Twins but was eventually removed from the rotation and traded to the Blue Jays in June. His transition from a starting role to the bullpen may have affected his performance, and now with the Mariners, he has a chance to reset and prove his capabilities.
The Mariners are banking on Woods Richardson's potential to rediscover his form and contribute to their pitching staff. However, if he does not make the leap to the Major Leagues during his time with the Mariners, he will become a free agent, which adds an element of urgency to his performance in the minor leagues.
This signing reflects the Mariners' ongoing efforts to enhance their pitching depth as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season. With a mix of experienced and young talent, the Mariners are positioning themselves for a competitive run in the league.
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