BOSTON (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels are going to be without Garrett Richards for a playoff run.
One of the AL West leader’s top starters sustained a serious knee injury, tearing his left patellar tendon Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox
Richards was 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA this year. It’s a serious blow to the Angels, who also lost starter Tyler Skaggs to Tommy John surgery earlier this season.
“You’re going to be thinking of Garrett once every fifth day when he was out there,” manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday. “You might not be able to replace that, but it doesn’t mean that we’re not going to be able to reach our goal as a cumulative pitching staff.”
General manager Jerry Dipoto said “we’ll be open” about finding a deal to replace Richards in the rotation.
Richards crumbled to the ground covering first base on a potential 3-6-1 doubles play against Boston. He was taken off the field on a stretcher and was flown to Los Angeles on Thursday morning, where he had an MRI.
The Angels tweeted Richards will have surgery on Friday. The rehabilitation time should be six to nine months.
The Angels selected the contract of left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who pitched briefly for the New York Yankees earlier this season, from Triple-A Salt Lake. Richards was placed on the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.
Angels get 2B Beckham from White Sox
BOSTON (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired second baseman Gordon Beckham in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Beckham has struggled offensively this year, but he gives the AL West-leading Angels another sure-handed infielder with six seasons of major league experience. He turns 28 on Sept. 16.
The White Sox, who selected Beckham with the eighth overall pick in the 2008 draft, will receive a player to be named or cash in Thursday’s trade.
Beckham made his major league debut in 2009 and hit .270 with 14 homers and 63 RBIs in 103 games with the White Sox. But he is batting .221 this year with seven homers and 36 RBIs in 101 games. He also has a .981 fielding percentage.
The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move before Friday night’s game at the New York Yankees.
