ANAHEIM -- Angels right-hander Garrett Richards' decision to have stem-cell injections continues to yield promising results, as an ultrasound taken Wednesday revealed more progressive healing on the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Richards, who received the injection as a means of avoiding Tommy John surgery that would knock him out for this season and next year, has been cleared by doctors to begin a series of stress tests on his elbow. He will receive another ultrasound in the next 10-14 days to see if the exercises did any damage, and if all goes well, he will be cleared to throw a baseball for the first time since his May 6 diagnosis.