A.J. Preller envisioned a top-of-the-rotation piece when he signed Garrett Richards, in the midst of Tommy John rehab, to a two-year, $15 million last December.
Sunday served as a reminder of the reality of that promise: The 31-year-old Richards has quite ways to go to return to form.
Making just his second start with a reconstructed elbow, Richards lasted just 1 2/3 innings before the Padres eventually walked off a 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Seth Mejias-Brean’s second career homer in the 10th inning on Sunday at Petco Park.
The win gave interim manager Rod Barajas his first victory.