Richardson (back) suffered a minor setback nearly a month ago, but returned to action in the Arizona league 4-5 days ago, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Richardson's timetable remains open-ended at this point, but he's once again begun playing in games. The 32-year-old outfielder played in 13 games with the Yankees in 2014, but with the current situation in the Rangers' outfield, he probably won't earn a spot on the 25-man roster unless an injury occurs.

The Rangers placed Richardson (back) on the 60-day disabled list Thursday, Rangers VP of Comm. John Blake reports.

Richardson is expected to miss at least the first month of the season after undergoing back surgery, so the Rangers decided to place him on the 60-day disabled list to open up a spot on their 40-man roster for waiver claim Logan Verrett.

Richardson will have herniated disc surgery Friday and will be out 6-to-8 weeks, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

It's unclear exactly when Richardson sustained the injury, but he had already been held out of spring league action for the past week. The 31-year-old signed with the Rangers on a minor league deal and was fighting for a spot on the big league roster, so he'll likely head to the minors at least temporarily after he recovers at some point in mid-to-late May.

Richardson's contract was purchased by the Rangers on Wednesday.

Richardson was signed to a minor league contract earlier in the offseason that included anearly opt-out clause. By adding him to the 40-man roster, the club will be able to keep him within the organization and evaluate him. To make room for him on the roster, the club placed pitcher Martin Perez on the disabled list.

Richardson signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on Thursday, which includes a Spring Training invite, Anthony Andro of Fox Sports Southwest reports.

Richardson spent the bulk of last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a member of the Yankees organization. He hit .271/.380/.364 with 22 RBI and three home runs in 315 at-bats. He had a brief stint with the big league club, going 5-for-16 at the plate with an RBI and five steals.

Richardson was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Richardson, who swiped 66 bases in the minors in 2006, showed this season that he still has ample speed, successfully stealing on 26-of-27 attempts at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He then went 5-for-16 at the plate with five steals in a limited role with the big club in September, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and evidently the Yankees don't see him as a legitimate option for 2015.

The Yankees selected Richardson's contract Tuesday.

Richardson will provide support to the Yankees' outfield over the final month. In 258 at-bats at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, he slashed .271/.380/.364 with three homers, 26 stolen bases, and a 33:56 BB:K.

Yankees signed OF Antoan Richardson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Richardson batted .285 with a .773 OPS in 523 plate appearances this past summer in the Twins' minor league system. The 30-year-old outfielder hasn't appeared in a major league game since the 2011 regular season.

Twins signed OF Antoan Richardson to a minor league contract.

Richardson, 29, spent the majority of last season at the Double-A level, where he batted .279/.415/.331 with 26 steals and 61 walks in 367 plate appearances. While he's mostly an organizational depth signing, he could find his way into playing time with the Twins this season.

Orioles signed OF Antoan Richardson to a minor league contract.

Richardson, 27, became a free agent after being outrighted off the Braves' 40-man roster last month. The speedy outfielder made his major league debut this past September, but spent the majority of the season with Double-A Mississippi, batting .283/.430/.327 with one home run, 21 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .757 OPS over 353 plate appearances. He'll likely function as organizational depth.

Braves sent OF Antoan Richardson outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Richardson, 27, made his major league debut in September and appeared in nine games. The speedy outfielder can declare free agency.

Braves purchased the contract of OF Antoan Richardson from Double-A Mississippi.

Richardson, 27, is a speed merchant that has swiped 17 bags for Mississippi this season and 232 in his minor league career. He'll be used primarily as a pinch-runner down the stretch.