The Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson to a minor-league contract, giving the former Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher another opportunity to rebuild his season and potentially work his way back to the major leagues. Seattle assigned Woods Richardson to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he will provide additional pitching depth as the organization enters the final stretch of the 2026 season.
The move comes after a turbulent few months for the 25-year-old pitcher, who has already played for three organizations this season. Woods Richardson began the year with Minnesota before being designated for assignment in late May. The Blue Jays subsequently acquired him from the Twins in June for cash considerations, hoping he could provide innings for a pitching staff dealing with injuries and depth concerns.
His time in Toronto produced some encouraging stretches, particularly when he was used out of the bullpen. In eight appearances for the Blue Jays, Woods Richardson went 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 18⅓ innings, striking out 14 batters while holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average. However, he also struggled with command, walking 12 hitters during that span.
The season as a whole has been considerably more difficult. Between Minnesota and Toronto, Woods Richardson has appeared in 20 major-league games, including 10 starts, and owns a 2-7 record with a 6.68 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 66 innings. Opponents have hit .304 against him, while he has issued 37 walks and recorded 40 strikeouts.
His final appearance with Toronto proved especially damaging. After being designated for assignment on August 28, Woods Richardson had struggled badly in an outing against the Kansas City Royals, surrendering six earned runs in just one inning during a 13-2 Blue Jays loss. Toronto eventually outrighted him to Triple-A Buffalo, but Woods Richardson elected free agency on September 1 rather than remain in the organization.
Seattle moved quickly to give him another opportunity. The Mariners signed him on September 2 and immediately assigned him to Tacoma, where he can work on his command, consistency and pitch execution away from the pressure of the major-league level.
The Mariners’ interest is understandable because Woods Richardson still offers flexibility and previous major-league experience. Although he has spent much of his career as a starter, Toronto used him primarily as a multi-inning reliever after his acquisition, and that role produced a respectable 3.93 ERA. Seattle could explore a similar approach rather than immediately asking him to return to a traditional starting role.
The organization’s current rotation is relatively established, with Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and rookie Kade Anderson occupying the primary starting spots. That means Woods Richardson is unlikely to immediately walk into a rotation job. Instead, he could serve as insurance, a long reliever or a depth option who can step in if the Mariners experience an injury or need additional innings.
There is also a clear opportunity for him if he performs well in Tacoma. Seattle has dealt with some pitching-depth concerns, and a strong run in Triple-A could put Woods Richardson back on the organization’s major-league radar. His ability to start or cover multiple innings could make him particularly valuable during September, when teams often need additional arms to navigate a demanding schedule.
Woods Richardson has also demonstrated that he can succeed at the minor-league level. During his Triple-A stint with Buffalo earlier this season, he went 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in six appearances, including five starts. That performance gives Seattle some evidence that he can potentially regain his form with consistent work in Tacoma.
The Mariners are therefore taking a relatively low-risk gamble on a pitcher who once carried considerable prospect value. Woods Richardson was previously regarded as a top prospect in the Blue Jays’ system and has accumulated substantial professional experience despite being only 25. He was originally selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft before becoming part of the trade that sent Marcus Stroman to New York in 2019.
For Woods Richardson, the Seattle deal represents another chance to stabilize his career after a particularly difficult season. Rather than viewing his recent DFA and free agency as the end of his major-league opportunity, he now has a fresh organization, a new pitching environment and a clear path back to the majors.
If he can limit the walks that have repeatedly hurt him, regain the command that produced better results earlier in the year and show that his fastball and secondary pitches can consistently generate outs, the Mariners could eventually view him as more than Triple-A depth.
For now, though, the assignment is simple: pitch well in Tacoma, rebuild his confidence and force Seattle to consider him for a September call-up.
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