MLB Trade: Blue Jays Re-Acquire Former Top Prospect Simeon Woods Richardson After DFA

It was back in 2019 that the Toronto Blue Jays first acquired top pitching prospect Simeon Woods Richardson. He was a Top 3 prospect for the club when they dealt him to the Minnesota Twins in 2021 in the Jose Berrios trade.

Now, Toronto has re-acquired Woods Richardson, days after he was designated for assignment by the Twins after going 0-7 through 10 starts with a 7.74 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 47.2 innings pitched.

The #BlueJays are acquiring Simeon Woods Richardson from the Minnesota Twins, sources tell The Athletic.

The former Jays top prospect, sent to Minnesota in the José Berríos trade, is coming back. SWR was DFA'd by the Twins a few days ago
— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) June 3, 2026

The return to Minnesota is cash considerations.

Despite his brutal 2026, Woods Richardson put together two relatively solid seasons as a reliable mid-rotation major league starter across 2024 and 2025. In 244.2 innings pitched, he posted a 4.13 ERA over 51 starts, a 1.29 WHIP and a 224:94 strikeout to walk ratio. He's still only 25, and with that prospect pedigree, he could be an ideal reclamation project for Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker.

The Jays are continuing to try to bolster their starting depth after a crippling wave of injuries to the rotation this season. Berrios is out for the year, Shane Bieber has yet to pitch in the majors in 2026, while Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer are also on the IL. The latter three are all scheduled to make rehab starts at Triple-A Buffalo in the coming days. Trey Yesavage missed the first month of the season, but has been mostly excellent in his return.