The Royals have announced that right-hander Trevor Richards is now a free agent after clearing outright waivers, as he rejected an assignment to Triple-A following his designation for assignment. Despite a strong start with a 1.69 ERA in Triple-A Omaha, Richards struggled in the majors, allowing four runs over three innings for a 12.00 ERA with Kansas City, including a poor showing against the White Sox. With enough MLB service time, Richards cannot be optioned without consent, making his future uncertain; he may seek minor league offers or re-sign with the Royals after testing the market.
