Clayton Richard yielded four runs over six innings in Saturday's loss to the Mets. He walked three and struck out five. Richard gave up all four runs in the first inning, courtesy of a three-run homer by Scott Hairston and a solo shot by Vinny Rottino. The 28-year-old southpaw has allowed nine home runs in 64 1/3 innings this season, all of them to right-handed batters. He'll carry a 4.76 ERA into a start against the Diamondbacks on Friday at PETCO Park, where he has enjoyed most of his success (2.30 ERA in four starts) this season. He's strictly a spot-start option in fantasy leagues right now.

Clayton Richard held down a makeshift Dodgers offense Wednesday, limiting them to two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six over seven innings in a 4-2 win. Andre Ethier was the only regular in the lineup, so Richard shutting them down at Petco Park wasn't exactly a difficult feat. Still, the left-hander remains a solid fantasy start when he's at home. Just don't play him on the road. He'll carry a 4.94 ERA and 1.31 WHIP into next week's start in St. Louis.

Clayton Richard's struggles away from home continued on Friday as he allowed five runs on eight hits in just 5 1/3 innings against the Phillies. Richard struck out one and walked two in the game. He looked extremely hittable throughout the game, and surrendered two-run homers to John Mayberry Jr. and Carlos Ruiz. Richard falls to 1-5 on the season with the loss and raises his already inflated ERA to 5.32. He's still worthy of a matchup play at home, but should be avoided at all costs on the road. He'll attempt to turn things around when he takes on the Dodgers at home on Wednesday.

Clayton Richard got shelled in Wednesday's loss at Coors Field, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out just two, and surrendered home runs to Michael Cuddyer and the light-hitting Jonathan Herrera. Richard has now allowed eight runs in each of his starts away from Petco Park, and remains a fantasy no-go on the road. He'll get the Nationals at home on Tuesday before taking on the Giants in San Francisco next weekend.

Clayton Richard dominated the Dodgers in his 2012 debut Sunday, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits in seven innings of San Diego's 8-4 victory. So much for Richard's rough spring. He struck out three and walked none. His only real mistake came in the sixth, where he served up a two-run homer to Matt Kemp after Mark Ellis reached on an error. Richard will get the Dodgers again next weekend, this time in Los Angeles.

Clayton Richard had an outing to forget Thursday, as he was blasted for nine runs -- eight earned -- on 12 hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings against the Cubs. He notched a couple strikeouts and also served up a couple home runs. Coming back from shoulder surgery, Richard hasn't been terribly sharp this spring, posting a 9.00 ERA while striking out just nine over 14 innings. We would steer clear of him in NL-only leagues for now.

Clayton Richard gave up two runs on three hits while striking out three over three innings of work Wednesday against the Reds. It came against a split-squad Reds lineup that was without many of the team's regulars. Richard has now allowed three runs in his first five innings this spring, but the Padres are concerned mainly with his healthy after he missed a good chunk of last season with shoulder issues.

Clayton Richard allowed one run on two hits in two innings of Friday's 6-3 win over the Angels. Richard walked none and struck out none in his Cactus League debut. Limited to 99 2/3 innings by a shoulder injury last season, Richard will open the year in the Padres' rotation barring a setback, and is worth a roster spot in NL-only leagues.

Clayton Richard faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last July. "It went well," said Richard, who threw for about eight minutes. "It's another step in getting ready for the season. It felt normal. It's good to throw to hitters. It's been awhile since I did that. It was nice to get that out of my system." Richard posted a 3.88 ERA and 53/38 K/BB ratio over 99 2/3 innings last season before undergoing surgery. Barring any setbacks, he should have a spot in the Padres' rotation.

Padres and LHP Clayton Richard avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract. Terms aren't yet available. Richard requested $3.1 million and was offered $2.35 million by the Padres when arbitration figures were exchanged last week, so they likely agreed to terms somewhere in the middle. The 28-year-old left-hander posted a 3.88 ERA and 53/38 K/BB ratio over 99 2/3 innings in 2011 before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in July, but he's expected to be 100 percent for spring training.