Angels pitcher Richards opts for surgery, done for season

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Garrett Richards said he has elected to undergo Tommy John surgery for his damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will miss the remainder of the season.

Reduced to 28 starts over the past three seasons because of multiple injuries, including two UCL issues, Richards’ time with the

Angels could effectively be finished after eight seasons and a 45-38 record with a 3.54 ERA. The free-agent-to-be expects to be ready to pitch at the start of the 2020 season.

Richards, 30, was 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA over 16 starts this season. He was removed in the third inning Tuesday during his outing against the Seattle Mariners.

He went on the disabled list Wednesday and was given the choice of a conservative rehabilitation or surgery.

Nationals: Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, out for nearly a month because of shoulder inflammation, threw a bullpen that went well, manager Dave Martinez said.

Strasburg will make rehab start Sunday for Class A Potomac and is expected to throw 80 to 85 pitches. There is no date set for his return to the Nationals.

Also, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (oblique strain), sidelined since May 10, could rejoin the Nationals right after the All-star break, Martinez said.

Indians: Left-hander Andrew Miller will pitch batting practice to hitters Saturday at Double-a Akron, the next step in his comeback from knee inflammation that has sidelined the elite reliever since May 26.

Miller said he expects to pitch in a “handful of minor league games” before he’s activated.

Twins: Designated hitter/first baseman Logan Morrison was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left hip injury.

The move was made before Minnesota’s game Thursday against Tampa Bay, making room for utility infielder Ehire Adrianza’s reinstatement from the 10-day disabled list.

Morrison is batting just .193 in his first season with the Twins, with a .654 on-baseplus-slugging percentage and 11 home runs and 31 RBIS. He described his problem as chronic and said before the game he’s planning to return when he’s eligible on July 22.

Astros: Shortstop Carlos Correa (back stiffness) will have to go on a rehabilitation assignment before he comes off the disabled list, so he will not play before the All-star break.

Mariners: Right-hander Felix Hernandez (lower back stiffness) will come off the disabled list next week and pitch at the front of the rotation when the second half of the season begins.

Padres: San Diego optioned rookie lefthander Joey Lucchesi to Triple-a El Paso and recalled catcher Raffy Lopez.

Marlins: Miami has suspended its business relationship with Papa John’s after the company’s chairman of the board apologized and resigned for using a racial slur.

In a statement, the Marlins said “derogatory and insensitive comments” by John Schnatter weren’t reflective of the values of the baseball franchise.

Papa John’s announced late Wednesday that Schnatter had resigned. Forbes said Schnatter used the N-word during a media training exercise in May.

A Marlins promotion with Papa John’s had offered discounted pizza.