John Schneider Sends Message After Blue Jays Trade

Schneider added that confidence and small adjustments in approach could help the 25-year-old regain the form he showed earlier in his career. Schneider also noted that Woods Richardson will not join the team immediately for game action and will likely miss the series finale against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

The Blue Jays plan to ease him into their system before making any decision on when he can contribute at the major league level. Woods Richardson returns to Toronto with a career major league record of 12-17 and a 4.76 ERA across five seasons with Minnesota. He has recorded 258 strikeouts and 124 walks over 302.1 innings in 65 appearances, including 61 starts.

His career numbers show a pitcher with the ability to generate outs, but he has struggled with control and consistency over extended stretches. The 25-year-old was selected by the Mets in the second round of the 2018 draft, then traded to the Blue Jays in the deal that sent right-hander Marcus Stroman to New York a year later.

Toronto originally signed Woods Richardson as part of its long-term pitching pipeline before trading him in 2021 to the Minnesota Twins in the deal that brought José Berríos to the Blue Jays and sent prospect Austin Martin to Minnesota.

He earned his first career win on April 13, 2024, after he was recalled as the 27th man in a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, but was optioned back to St. Paul the following day before being recalled again to the Twins on April 25.

His return to the Blue Jays comes at a time when Toronto continues to evaluate pitching depth and look for stable options over the long season. Woods Richardson’s ability to limit walks and keep hitters off balance will likely determine how quickly he can move back into a major league role.