Clayton Richard declines opt-out, stays with Pirates

Pitcher Clayton Richard hasn't exercised his April 1 opt-out and will stay with the Pirates.

Clayton Richard is still here. Didn't exercise opt-out clause. Said he's enjoyed his time here, wants to keep it going.

— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) April 1, 2015

Richard said he will stay in Bradenton to work in extended Spring Training. Similar to what Worley did last year. #Pirates

— Tim Williams (@timwilliamsP2) April 1, 2015

I've never been as interested in Richard as some of the commenters here are, but he does represent starting pitching depth, which the Pirates clearly can use. If he gets on track, his ground ball tendencies could make him a good fit for the Bucs' rotation in a pinch.

Richard was once a reasonably good starting pitcher with the Padres, topping 200 innings in 2010 and 2012 and posting decent results while playing half his games in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park. He's struggled with injuries the last two seasons and didn't pitch in the big leagues at all in 2014, which is why he's going to stay in Bradenton for now. He did, however, have four reasonably good outings in Spring Training this year.