Fully healthy Woods Richardson makes first start back from IL

TORONTO -- After a month-long absence, Simeon Woods Richardson is back on a Major League mound.

The Twins right-hander was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and got the start in Wednesday’s 9-8 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, completing a lengthy recovery process from a stomach illness that had kept him from pitching for Minnesota since July 28. In a corresponding move, the Twins optioned right-hander Pierson Ohl to Triple-A St. Paul.

Patience was key for Woods Richardson, who is currently in his second full big league season. After a pair of rehab outings at Triple-A earlier this month, though, the 24-year-old is ready and eager to get back to game action with the Twins.

“I think he's fired up to be back on the mound,” manager Rocco Baldelli said ahead of Woods Richardson’s start. “I think he's been waiting patiently, and I think he feels good. So that's probably one of the most important parts of it. You're going to see guys normally in better moods when they're feeling good. He's been throwing the ball well, physically he's in a good spot. And I think he's just been waiting to get back out there and rejoin the team.”

Woods Richardson had to start somewhere, but it wasn’t exactly a smooth return. He allowed five earned runs on Wednesday, striking out two and walking two with three home runs yielded over 3 2/3 innings and 69 pitches (44 strikes).

“He looked really good early,” Baldelli said after the outing. “The stuff looked good. I liked the way he threw the ball early on. I think he ran into trouble when he started losing a little command. And the walks, they're going to come around and bite you if you walk people, especially against a good team, if you give them free baserunners.”

Still, the biggest point of focus is the young pitcher’s health.

Now Woods Richardson can put his focus back on pitching and look to rebuild his rhythm as the regular season approaches its final month.

The return of a key contributor is great news for the Twins’ rotation, which also figures to get Pablo López (right teres major strain) back sometime before the end of the season. Minnesota currently has six starters on its active roster, including Trade Deadline acquisitions Taj Bradley and Mick Abel. That group of young starters figures to be a strength beyond this season, and the stage is set for a month of opportunities at the highest level.