Richard is a candidate to be used as a sixth starter during an upcoming 16-game stretch, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres have a team day off Monday, but after that, begin a 16-game stretch with the first nine on the road. Richard, who was signed by the Padres on Saturday, might get a chance to claim a back-end rotation spot near the end of the stretch. He'll be used out of the bullpen in the upcoming three-game series in Pittsburgh, but after that, the team plans to rest him in case he's needed as a starter. Of course, one long, extra-inning game always risks throwing a wrench in those plans.