The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Garrett Richards on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday after an MRI revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.UCL injuries often lead to Tommy John surgery. Richards was presented with both conservative care and surgical options to treat the injury, according to the Angels, who said they will provide an update when appropriate.Richards was removed from his Tuesday start against the Seattle Mariners in the third inning due to what the team called right forearm irritation.In 2 2/3 innings, he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, striking out one.In 16 starts this year, Richards is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA.Richards opted not to have Tommy John surgery when faced with a UCL tear in May 2016. He instead received stem-cell injections, returning to the team at the start of 2017 rather than missing an entire year as Tommy John rehab typically requires.However, Richards sustained nerve irritation in his biceps in his 2017 debut and was out of action for the Angels for five months.Richards’ 2014 season was also ended prematurely by a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.For his career, the 30-year-old Richards has a 3.54 ERA in 170 games (115 starts). Prior to this year, he last started more than 10 games in a season in 2015, when he took the mound 32 times and threw 207 1/3 innings.With Richards headed to the DL, the Angels recalled right-hander Deck McGuire from Triple-A Salt Lake. McGuire, 29, is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in four games (two starts) for the Angels this season. He had been optioned to Salt Lake on Tuesday.
