Richards (elbow) threw a live batting practice Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards is progressing as anticipated this spring after foregoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow last May and instead receiving stem-cell treatments. While the Angels are proceeding cautiously with Richards' workloads in spring training, it's expected that he'll make his Cactus League debut at some point next weekend.

Richards (elbow) threw his first bullpen session Tuesday and said he felt 100 percent, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

He missed the last five months of the 2016 season after being diagnosed with a torn UCL, and he opted to forego Tommy John surgery and instead try stem-cell therapy. The right-hander is still on track to start the season, but he has said he expects to have a 100-pitch limit this year.

Richards (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $6.85 million contract with the Angels on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander missed the final five months of the 2016 season after being diagnosed with a torn UCL. He opted to forego Tommy John surgery and instead try stem-cell therapy. It sounds like Richards is on track to be ready for the start of the year, but manager Mike Scioscia has already said that Richards' pitch counts and innings workload will be monitored carefully.

Richards (elbow) will have his pitch counts and innings workload monitored carefully in 2017, the Orange County Register reports. "You're not going to see Garrett throwing 220 innings next year," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I hate to put a floor on (the innings) and hate to get into a range right now, but I can tell you that we are going to be very, very careful with where Garrett is and make sure that he rebounds and maintains his stuff."

EDGE Analysis

To date, everything seems to be going as planned for Richards' recovery from a torn UCL, as he opted for stem-cell therapy instead of Tommy John surgery. Richards was one of several Angels pitchers to succumb to an arm injury in 2016, but Scioscia indicated that there won't be any revisions to the team's program during spring training.

Richards (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander tore his UCL in May, but he avoided Tommy John surgery and seems to be on track for a full recovery prior to spring training. As long as his rehab goes as planned, Richards will likely slot in at the top of the Angels rotation.

Richards (elbow) threw four scoreless innings in his final instructional league outing Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

The outing was ended before the final out in the fourth was recorded, but it was still an encouraging outing for Richards, who struck out five while allowing just three hits. There were fears that the former first-round pick would need to undergo Tommy John surgery after tearing his UCL in May, but Richards was able to reach 95 miles per hour with his fastball in the outing, and said he has "passed every test" in regards to the health of his elbow. This bodes well for Richards being able to begin the 2017 season as a part of the Angels' rotation.

Richards (elbow) threw a simulated inning Wednesday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander cleared an important hurdle with his first live session in more than four months, and he'll now head off to pitch in the instructional league. Richards has scrapped his changeup from his repertoire, leaving him with a fastball-slider-curveball combination. He said earlier this month that he has "no doubt" he will avoid Tommy John surgery and pitch in 2017.

Richards will face live hitters for the first time Wednesday since injuring his elbow in May, Pedro

EDGE Analysis

Richards continues to work to avoid Tommy John surgery. If all goes well Wednesday, he will move on to the instructional leagues next week in Arizona, and from there we'll be able to see if Richards can rejoin the Angels rotation in time for Opening Day or even spring training.

Richards (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The mound session was Richards' first since he injured his elbow in early May. Afterward, Richards said that he has "no doubt in [his] mind" that he will avoid Tommy John surgery and pitch for the Angels next season. It sounds like he will face live hitters early next month then head off to pitch in the instructional league.

Richards (elbow) is slated to throw off of a mound Saturday, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards resumed throwing last month, but this will be his first time pitching off of elevated ground. While he's already been ruled out for the remainder of 2016, he looks to be on track toward returning for the start of the 2017 campaign without much issue.