Former Baron Richard to Make MLB Debut
Published on July 22, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Pitcher Clayton Richard, who began the 2008 season as a member of the Birmingham Barons' starting rotation, has had his contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox and has been added to the team's 25-man roster. He will make his Major League debut Wednesday in an afternoon start against the Texas Rangers.
He is the first member of this year's Barons squad to earn a promotion to the White Sox, and he joins pitcher Adam Russell (2007) as former Barons to debut with the parent club this season. Richard, a 24-year-old left-hander from Lafayette, Ind., began this season with the Barons and posted a 6-6 record in 13 starts with a 2.47 ERA. He had a streak of 27 straight scoreless innings from mid-May until early June and was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week on June 2 after tossing a complete-game shutout the week before.
He was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte on June 11 and won all six starts with the Knights while recording a 2.37 ERA. He struck out 29 in 38 innings of work and walked just four.
Richard's promotion to Chicago was necessitated due to White Sox starter Jose Contreras being placed on the 15-day Disabled List on Monday with a right elbow injury. Last Wednesday, Richard was one of 12 pitchers named to the U.S. Olympic Team to compete in the Olympics next month in Beijing. While he is still listed on the online roster on the official website of USA Baseball, members of a Major League 25-man roster are ineligible to participate in the Games.
There has been no indication yet as to whether Richard will be replaced on the Olympic squad. For more on the current Barons, a team schedule, promotions calendar, and ticket information, call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com.
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