Simeon Woods Richardson’s Path Forward Starts in the Bullpen, But it Might Be On Hold

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The last handful of starts for Simeon Woods Richardson have described a troubling trend. At this point, it’s fair to wonder not just how long he remains in the rotation, but whether that role still makes sense at all. Were it not for the injuries that continue to deplete the team's starting staff, Woods Richardson might be in the bullpen already.

When the Twins acquired Woods Richardson alongside Austin Martin at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for José Berríos, the vision was clear. He was supposed to develop into a reliable starting pitcher—someone who could anchor the back end of a rotation, with upside. For a stretch, that looked plausible. He showed flashes of being a capable fourth or fifth starter, eating innings and keeping his team in games. Though 2024 ended in disappointment, Woods Richardson kept them afloat for a long stretch during which the team was badly diminished by injuries.

Alas, 2026 has been a different story entirely. Through his first seven starts, Woods Richardson owns a 6.49 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. He’s allowed 47 hits and 14 walks, while striking out just 17 batters. He’s not pitching deep into games, and the innings he does provide have often come with significant damage. 

The underlying numbers don’t offer much encouragement, either. His strikeout rate sits at a highly concerning 10.6%, one of the lowest marks you’ll find for a starting pitcher. He’s generating very few whiffs, and when hitters do make contact, they’re squaring him up with authority. His arsenal, which already is limited for a starter, simply isn’t playing. The advanced metrics paint a bleak picture across the board.

Put simply, what the Twins are doing right now with Woods Richardson is not working. At some point, acknowledging that opens the door to a different solution. A move to the bullpen stands out as the most logical next step.

There are clear indicators that Woods Richardson could thrive in a shorter-burst role. Most notably, his effectiveness the first time through the order has been excellent. His ERA sits at 1.20 when hitters haven’t already seen him, and he’s recorded 11 of his 17 strikeouts in those matchups. That version of Woods Richardson looks like a completely different pitcher.

The drop-off after that is dramatic. The second time through the order, his ERA balloons to 14.66. Over 11 2/3 innings in those situations, he’s struck out just two batters, while allowing a .375 batting average and six home runs. It’s not a subtle decline; it’s a cliff.

That split tells a pretty clear story. For two to three innings, Woods Richardson can be effective. After that, hitters adjust, his stuff flattens out, and the results spiral. A profile like that is far more aligned with a reliever than a starter. He doesn't lose a ton of velocity or movement as the game progresses, but hitters quickly get familiar with the relatively limited set of sequences and shapes he can throw at them.

There’s also a compelling velocity component to consider. Woods Richardson’s fastball typically sits in the 92 to 93 mph range, which isn’t overpowering in today’s game, especially for a starter expected to turn a lineup over multiple times. As he works deeper into outings, that velocity can dip, leaving him even more vulnerable.

In shorter stints, though, there’s reason to believe that changes. We’ve seen him reach back for 96 to 97 mph at times, with flashes of a different gear that simply isn’t sustainable over five or six innings. In a bullpen role, that higher velocity could become more consistent. A tick or two of added velocity, paired with a simplified approach, could make his entire arsenal play up.

The timing of a potential move is complicated, but not prohibitive. With Mick Abel currently on the injured list, the Twins don’t have an abundance of rotation options, which makes it harder to pull Woods Richardson out immediately. Joe Ryan is likely to land on the shelf, too, after leaving Sunday's start with elbow soreness. Still, Abel has already resumed throwing bullpens and may not be far off from a return. When that happens, the Twins will have a decision to make.

Connor Prielipp’s emergence adds another layer to the conversation. He’s looked sharp over his first three starts and offers something the current rotation lacks: a left-handed presence. Slotting him into the rotation not only injects upside but also creates better balance within the staff.

Moving Woods Richardson to a relief role wouldn’t just be about addressing his struggles; it would also allow the organization to reconfigure its pitching staff in a way that maximizes everyone’s strengths. The Twins’ bullpen has not exactly been sharp. We just saw that group completely unravel with an eight-run eighth inning collapse on Saturday, and while one inning doesn’t define an entire unit, it does highlight how volatile things have been. This isn’t a bullpen that’s been consistently locking games down, and adding another arm that’s been promising in shorter bursts could really help stabilize things.

None of this is to suggest that the Twins should give up on him. He’s still relatively young, and there’s enough of a track record to believe he can contribute at the major-league level. But continuing to run him out as a starter, hoping for different results, isn’t a particularly convincing strategy.

Without Ryan, the decision is put off for a while. None of the available alternatives to Woods Richardson have done enough to give the team any reasonable measure of confidence in them, so they still need Woods Richardson as a starter. At some point, though, adjustments to the role and expectations aren’t just helpful; they’re necessary. For Woods Richardson, that adjustment may very well be the key to getting his career back on track.

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[Linus]

Sim throwing 96-97?  I watch most Twins games and I’ve never seen that. He’s been a disappointment this year but with the injuries we are going to need all the starters. 

[nicksaviking]

I would take the completely different path with this injury situation. SWR, Matthews, Festa. I see little reason to keep them in the rotation, even if desperate for starting pitching. Because there is starting pitching available; guys are always floating around being DFA'd. Yeah, they're unattractive, but they aren't going to be discernably worse than what we've seen from SWR, Matthews and Festa anyway.

The Twins do NOT need to constantly look for the future 4th, 5th and 6th starters in the rotation because even a thrifty team like the Twins can afford to pay for such pitchers. They need to focus on looking for future front of the rotation pitchers and late inning bullpen help because those are the pitching spots the Twins can't won't pay for. So put these guys in the pen, now. Not swing men, or long men. Mostly one inning guys like Duran, Jax and Varland. 

Anyway, that's what I think the most beneficial long-term move would be. Unless we're all going to pretend that 2026 is going to be some magical World Series season.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Its been a rough start for sure. If I remember correctly, Sim usually starts out slow and gets better later in the year, but this seems different. He just doesn't even look competitive right now. I hope he gets right, either in the rotation or the pen. He's shown he can do well in the past. Maybe a bullpen move will help 

[strumdatjag]

SWR also has a bulldog mentality on the mound that could ultimately translate into success in high leverage situations in relief.  But he is not succeeding as a starter this year.  It looks like his success late in 2025 was a mirage. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Not sure what's going to happen with SWR. I can see a world where Festa and Zebby become reliable high-leverage bullpen arms. But...SWR doesn't have the velocity or swing and miss ability - his stuff in the pen, at least to me, seems similar to a lot of what of the Twins currently have.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

And I'm bummed for SWR. Really thought he turned a corner late last summer and he has the right mentality on the mound. Just not sure the talent / stuff is there for prolonged success either in the rotation or bullpen.

[Nshore]

SWR could be invaluable in a bullpen role and it'd be a perfect fit.  Hopefully circumstances will allow it to happen soon.

I'm surprised they didn't give Abel more time off to rest his elbow.  Granted, my own experience with elbow strain is pointing the remote toward the TV,  But something as critical as that I would think would have warranted a month or two off.

 

[GNess]

The Twins at present do not "need" SWR in the rotation given his performance. No team would need such negative results. 

Moving SWR to the BP is hardly needed by a struggling group, but if he took a mop up role and hopefully could use that experience to get on track while returning to the rotation -  that might fill a need for the Twins.

 

 

[4twinsJA]

Zebby's last 2 starts have been good at AAA. and he lines up well with Ryan's spot in rotation-pitched on Saturday. I look for Matthews to get to call to replace Ryan in rotation. SWR may have to have a couple more starts until Able ready to return. Yes, it has been hard to watch SWR after first time through order, really struggling to get outs.

[Mike Sixel]

27 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I would take the completely different path with this injury situation. SWR, Matthews, Festa. I see little reason to keep them in the rotation, even if desperate for starting pitching. Because there is starting pitching available; guys are always floating around being DFA'd. Yeah, they're unattractive, but they aren't going to be discernably worse than what we've seen from SWR, Matthews and Festa anyway.

The Twins do NOT need to constantly look for the future 4th, 5th and 6th starters in the rotation because even a thrifty team like the Twins can afford to pay for such pitchers. They need to focus on looking for future front of the rotation pitchers and late inning bullpen help because those are the pitching spots the Twins can't won't pay for. So put these guys in the pen, now. Not swing men, or long men. Mostly one inning guys like Duran, Jax and Varland. 

Anyway, that's what I think the most beneficial long-term move would be. Unless we're all going to pretend that 2026 is going to be some magical World Series season.

This. Play for the future. Start working toward that now. 

[Major League Ready]

22 minutes ago, 4twinsJA said:

Zebby's last 2 starts have been good at AAA. and he lines up well with Ryan's spot in rotation-pitched on Saturday. I look for Matthews to get to call to replace Ryan in rotation. SWR may have to have a couple more starts until Able ready to return. Yes, it has been hard to watch SWR after first time through order, really struggling to get outs.

I watched Matthews last two starts and thought he looked quite a bit better. Matthew's Achilles heal has been too many pitches in the middle of the plate but he did not leave much in the middle of the plate these last two starts.  I would have liked to see him follow-up those starts with a few more but I think you are right and he is going to get another shot in 5 days.  He has quite a bit more upside than SWR IMO. 

[Patzky]

43 minutes ago, Linus said:

Sim throwing 96-97?  I watch most Twins games and I’ve never seen that. He’s been a disappointment this year but with the injuries we are going to need all the starters. 

I recall an instance or two last year where it was like, whoa, where did that come from? This year, lesser so. Someone also pointed out his refusal to pitch up in the zone. (Or catcher's recognition that it shouldn't be done)

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

I would take the completely different path with this injury situation. SWR, Matthews, Festa. I see little reason to keep them in the rotation, even if desperate for starting pitching. Because there is starting pitching available; guys are always floating around being DFA'd. Yeah, they're unattractive, but they aren't going to be discernably worse than what we've seen from SWR, Matthews and Festa anyway.

The Twins do NOT need to constantly look for the future 4th, 5th and 6th starters in the rotation because even a thrifty team like the Twins can afford to pay for such pitchers. They need to focus on looking for future front of the rotation pitchers and late inning bullpen help because those are the pitching spots the Twins can't won't pay for. So put these guys in the pen, now. Not swing men, or long men. Mostly one inning guys like Duran, Jax and Varland. 

Anyway, that's what I think the most beneficial long-term move would be. Unless we're all going to pretend that 2026 is going to be some magical World Series season.

I like the "play for the future" approach, but I would do it a little differently. I see SWR and Festa in the bullpen by June 1 if Festa is ready to pitch and Ryan isn't out more than a month. I see Matthews taking SWR's rotation spot, with Morris staying in the bullpen and transitioning to a late inning high leverage role, perhaps even being given a shot at closing. I'd also like to see Rojas coming up to the bullpen. 

Pitching I'd like to see by June 1, health permitting ;

Starters - Ryan, Bradley, Ober, Abel, Preilipp, with Matthews the 6th starter at AAA.

Bullpen - Topa, Orze, Morris, Rogers, Funderburk, and SWR followed by these guys in order depending on health - Sands, Festa, Rojas, Acton, Lawyerson, Klein, Banda, Garcia. The last group is subject to change depending on health and performance. Ideally, the last 2 in are Sands and Festa, with Lawyerson, Rojas, Acton, and Klein available at AAA when one of the others craters and Banda and Garcia somewhere else or at AAA if they clear waivers.  Festa is the AAA closer to get experience in the role. Morris and SWR handle late inning work, Sands and Funderburk are the firemen for high leverage situations. By August 1, Festa is closing in the bigs and Rojas is also in the BP, probably at the expense of Topa and Rogers, both of whom are traded for prospects. Aug 1 BP is Morris, Orze, Festa, Funderburk, SWR, Sands, Rojas, and either Lawyerson or Klein.  Acton was also pitching well before he went on the IL and is "only" 27, so I could see him taking a spot.   

[DJL44]

I don’t think Ober and Ryan will be pitching innings for the Twins in August. Someone will need to.

[CRF]

As much as I'd like to see Sim back in StP, or the pen, he's a warm body...so he's gonna be needed as a starter. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

For the folks saying SWR would work in the bullpen, I'm curious as to why - he doesn't have an out pitch and there's little to no swing and miss in his arsenal of pitches. You can say that for the Twins' current group of relievers. He can go multiple innings so there's that, but that still strikes me as a low leverage arm rather someone that can be counted on in a big spot.

[Nshore]

7 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

For the folks saying SWR would work in the bullpen, I'm curious as to why - he doesn't have an out pitch and there's little to no swing and miss in his arsenal of pitches. You can say that for the Twins' current group of relievers. He can go multiple innings so there's that, but that still strikes me as a low leverage arm rather someone that can be counted on in a big spot.

True SWR isn't a conventional wipeout bullpen guy - they traded all of those guys.  But as the article mentioned he's pretty decent first time through the order.  And....and....well, he's durable.

[tony&rodney]

Woods Richardson is a decent #5 starting pitcher. He finished last year on a strong note and seemed like a sell high player. Didn't happen - the Twins don't move many players on the sell high platform. For now, SWR gets the rotation spot. It remains very difficult, for me, to harshly judge the pitching when the defense is so porous. I thought Arizona, a team with good gloves, might be interested in Woods Richardson for a gamble. 

I'm going to go with Sim until the All Star Game unless he just totally crashes. The Twins do have some interesting options: Ober, Bradley, Prielipp, Abel, Morris, Matthews, and Rojas come to mind. Plenty of inexperience behind Ober.

[Parfigliano]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

This. Play for the future. Start working toward that now. 

The AL Central is such a train wreck  division that a poorly constructed roster like TC is, for now, in contention.  I hope the FO isn't fooled into think this will last.  It will not.

This year should be all about identifying what they have in-house and who can contribute in the future and who can't. Giving playing time to other teams rejects like Outman, Clemmens, Garcia.... is  counter-productive.

 

[IndianaTwin]

4 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I would take the completely different path with this injury situation. SWR, Matthews, Festa. I see little reason to keep them in the rotation, even if desperate for starting pitching. Because there is starting pitching available; guys are always floating around being DFA'd. Yeah, they're unattractive, but they aren't going to be discernably worse than what we've seen from SWR, Matthews and Festa anyway.

The Twins do NOT need to constantly look for the future 4th, 5th and 6th starters in the rotation because even a thrifty team like the Twins can afford to pay for such pitchers. They need to focus on looking for future front of the rotation pitchers and late inning bullpen help because those are the pitching spots the Twins can't won't pay for. So put these guys in the pen, now. Not swing men, or long men. Mostly one inning guys like Duran, Jax and Varland. 

Anyway, that's what I think the most beneficial long-term move would be. Unless we're all going to pretend that 2026 is going to be some magical World Series season.

Thing is -- then TD readers would complain about signing Dylan Bundy, et al. 😀

[Western SD Fan]

Revisionist history is awesome.  We can take a trip back in the time machine.  The year is 2021.  The starting rotation out of spring training, in order of appearance, is Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios, Micheal Pineda, Matt Shoemaker, and J A Happ.  Berrios is awesome.  Maeda and Pineda are serviceable and will give you a chance to win.  Happ made 19 starts before being traded to St Louis with a 6.77 ERA and an ERA+ of 63.  Shoemaker made 16 starts before being released and an 8.06 ERA with an ERA+ of 53.  I would argue that the DFA starters could be worse than Sim since we have already tried that road and failed.  Someone should ask Pete Maki and LaTroy Hawkins if they like the DFA squad they have in the bullpen and say "hey, we want that for the rotation too!"

Currently, Sim has an ERA of 6.49 and an ERA+ of 68.  While not good, it's still better than the scrap heap starters that we have picked up in the past and suggested we do again.  Given the state of the rotation, until somebody comes up and proves they can replace Sim, you have to keep him in the rotation.  One thing to remember is that he has no options left.  If you want to shift him directly to the bullpen, he will have to figure it out in the bullpen while on the ML club.

I struggle what you would suggest in the short term while Ryan is likely on the shelf.  Stick Sim in the bullpen and do a bullpen day when his start comes up?  Do a piggyback with Morris?  If you believe a DFA candidate is better, can you identify one pitcher DFA'd or not signed that is better that Sim?  I believe Abel is going to do another bullpen session today and then decide when he will go on a rehab assignment as he will have to ramp back up prior to joining the team.  Zebby has been better, but he still has not gone more than 5 innings in St. Paul.  There are no good answers but IMO leaving Sim in the rotation for now is the least bad of all the possible solutions.

[bean5302]

Sim has never thrown a 97.0mph fastball in his pro career. Not once in the thousands of pitches he's thrown has he hit 97.

The fastest recorded 4 seamer of his career came on 6/21/2025 where he managed 96.5mph. He had 4 pitches at 96.0+ last year. He hit 96.0mph for a single time this year. Only 4 pitches all year have been at 95.0mph or higher.

So as you point out, SWR sits at 92-93, with a max of 95 at this point, but a single inning pen move probably puts him at 94-96 which isn't going to move the needle much. Honestly, his biggest issue is he doesn't have any good pitches. They're all below average so he has to have pinpoint control to make them work, and he also needs great discipline to allow walks rather than trying to challenge hitters. Joe Ryan struggled with not being willing to walk a guy in his earlier years.

Sim needs to paint it because hitters won't chase his stuff, and he can't get too far into the zone because they'll make him pay. Moving him to the bullpen where he can try to keep hitters off balance in smaller sample sizes and using a 5 pitch mix to keep them off balance might be the best option for him.