Mariners sign ex-Blue Jays, Twins starting pitcher with 3.93 ERA

The Seattle Mariners have added a five-year veteran starting pitcher to the organization via free agency.

The right-hander has spent most of his career as a starter, but the Toronto Blue Jays used him out of the bullpen.

The Tacoma Rainiers, Seattle's Triple-A affiliate, announced on Wednesday that Simeon Woods Richardson has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners.

Woods Richardson elected free agency after being waived by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

In eight relief outings with Toronto, the 25-year-old posted a respectable 3.93 ERA but struck out 18.4% of the opposing batters he faced.

"This has been a difficult season for the 25-year-old. Woods Richardson is a former second-round pick and quality prospect who pitched at a league-average level for the Twins from 2024-25," Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors wrote.

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"Woods Richardson combined for a 4.11 ERA with a 21.5% strikeout percentage across 51 appearances (all but one as a starter) over those two years," Franco added. "That earned him a spot in Minnesota’s starting five to open 2026."

Woods Richardson began the season with the Minnesota Twins but was bumped out of the rotation and traded to the Blue Jays in June.

If the Mariners don't promote Woods Richardson to the Majors, he would become a free agent.