Cubs recall LHP Clayton Richard from Triple-A Iowa

MILWAUKEE - The Chicago Cubs today recalled left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard from Triple-A Iowa. Catcher Taylor Teagarden has been designated for assignment.

Richard will make the start for the Cubs this afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

The 31-year-old Richard joins the Cubs for the second time this season, as he went 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA (9 ER/15.0 IP) in three appearances (two starts) with the club last month. Richard was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 3 and made his Cubs debut the next day, earning the 7-2 win against Miami after allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk in 6.1 innings. He last pitched for the Cubs on July 20, recording a no-decision in a 5-4 loss at Cincinnati, before joining Iowa and tossing 7.0 scoreless frames in his lone outing on Tuesday at Nashville.

Richard began the season with Pittsburgh's Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate and went 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA (13 ER/56.0 IP) in nine starts as he continued his return from left shoulder surgery in June of 2013. Prior to the surgery, Richard pitched in all or part of six major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2008-09) and San Diego Padres (2009-13). He is 47-47 with a 4.35 ERA (381 ER/788.1 IP) in 150 appearances, including 131 starts.

In a three-season span from 2010-12 with San Diego, Richard twice won 14 games (2010 and 2012), led the N.L. with 33 starts in 2012 and posted a sub-4.00 ERA in all three campaigns. During that span, Richard combined to go 33-32 with a 3.88 ERA (224 ER/520.0 IP) in 84 starts. He was limited to 12 appearances (11 starts) in 2013 before being placed on the disabled list for the rest of the season on June 22. He signed a minor league contract with Arizona last July and made four minor league starts before signing a minor league deal with Pittsburgh this past offseason.

Teagarden, 31, is batting .200 (3-for-15) with two RBI in eight games with the Cubs this season. He is hitting .294 (37-for-126) with four homers and 19 RBI in 43 games with Iowa this season.