Cubs reliever Richard finds time to mow the lawn before quick recall
The life of a fringe big-leaguer can be taxing. One day you're in the show, the next you're back on a bus traveling to Peoria, and just like that you can be back in the bigs again.
That about describes Clayton Richard's last 72 hours. The Chicago Cubs reliever was designated for assignment on Monday, but quickly got the call to rejoin the team in Pittsburgh after Rafael Soriano was placed on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.
Richard said, according to MLB.com, once he got the news he was being sent down, he flew back to Chicago, drove home and figured he might as well mow the yard.
Shortly after he got the call to come back.
"I'd always told them that if there was an opportunity to stay here, that's what I wanted to do," Richard told MLB.com. "Fortunately that came up and I got to come back.
In professional sports, one man's injury is another man's opportunity. Now Richard could find himself pitching in big-time pressure situations as the Cubs open a four-game series against San Francisco, which holds a one-half game lead over Chicago for the second wild-card spot.
The former Pirates pitcher was acquired by Chicago on July 3 and has been on a roller coaster ever since. He was removed from the active on July 22, called up again last Sunday, designated for assignment on Monday and now he's back again.
"I get it. I'm not upset, Richard told MLB.com. "I'm happy for the opportunity, and I'll do whatever I can to stay."
(h/t MLB.com)
