DETROIT, MI – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, who will make the start in Detroit against the Tigers today at 11:10 a.m. (CT).

Woods Richardson, 22, split the minor league season between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul, combining to go 5-3 with a 2.77 ERA (107.1 IP, 33 ER), 36 walks, 115 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP in 23 games (22 starts). He ranked second among all Twins farmhands in WHIP (minimum of 70.0 IP), third in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA (minimum of 70.0 IP) and was also tied for third in starts. Woods Richardson was named Texas League Pitcher of the Month for April while pitching for the Wind Surge and is currently listed as the organization’s sixth-best prospect, per MLB.com.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-hander was acquired by the Twins via trade with the Toronto Blue Jays along with infielder/outfielder Austin Martin on July 30, 2021, in exchange for right-handed pitcher José Berríos. The Sugar Land, Texas native was originally selected by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Kempner High School and has gone 15-18 with a 3.67 ERA (284.2 IP, 116 ER), 98 walks, 344 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP in 71 games (66 starts) over four minor league seasons with the Mets, Blue Jays and Twins organizations. He will wear uniform number 78 for the Twins.

To make room for Woods Richardson on the 28-man roster, the Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher Ronny Henriquez. Henriquez has appeared in three games for the Twins, going 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA (11.2 IP, 3 ER), three walks, nine strikeouts, a 0.94 WHIP and a .178 (8-for-45) opponent batting average.

To make room on 40-man roster, the Twins have transferred catcher Sandy León to the 60-day Injured List. León recently underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee.