Clayton Richard Out For The Season After Shoulder Surgery

San Diego Padres left-hander Clayton Richard had a little bit of a breakout year last season, making the Jake Peavy trade seem like a bit of a coup. This year, though, Richard wasn't quite as effective, with a 92 ERA+ in 99-2/3 innings, and he went on the disabled list in early July with a left shoulder strain. Now from Dan Hayes of the North County Times, it looks like Richard isn't coming back this year:

Clayton Richard is done for the season after arthroscopic surgery.

The Padres moved left-handed reliever Cory Luebke to the rotation after Richard's injury, and he's done extremely well, with a 2.57 ERA and a 36/7 K/BB ratio in 35 innings as a starter.

Unless complications arise, Richard should be back next season by spring training. With Aaron Harang (likely) leaving as a free agent, there should be at least one rotation spot open, so Luebke didn't completely wallypipp Richard.

Clayton Richard Injury: Padres Put Left-Hander On Disabled List

After allowing five base runners to the San Francisco Giants on Monday, the baseball world wondered if San Diego Padres' left-hander Clayton Richard was totally healthy. He was removed after five scoreless innings with shoulder discomfort, which was later diagnosed as a strain. From Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Padres put Clayton Richard on disabled list with a strained left shoulder. Reliever Luke Gregerson returns to the active roster.

Richard was having a mediocre year, his 3.88 as much the product of his home ballpark as anything else. His strikeout rate had dropped precipitously this season, so a shoulder issue is less than surprising.

There's no word on whom the Padres will go with in the rotation during Richard's absence, though Wade LeBlanc is on the 40-man roster, made 25 starts for the Padres last year, and has been making starts for Tucson in Triple-A.

Gregerson has a 2.63 ERA for the Padres in 27-1/3 innings this year, which gives him the 12th-best ERA in the Padres' bullpen.