Angels right-hander Garrett Richards will receive a stem-cell injection for his ailing elbow rather than undergo Tommy John surgery, earmarking him for a July return rather than being sidelined until mid-2017.
Angels general manger Billy Eppler confirmed to the Orange County Register on Monday that the therapy is expected to allow Richards to pitch again this year.
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The stem-cell injection is similar to a platelet-rich plasma injection that Richards' rotation mate Andrew Heaney received in April to attempt to heal his ailing forearm.