The Toronto Blue Jays announced that right-hander Trevor Richards will serve as the team's opener on Tuesday night against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, with right-hander Bowden Francis (forearm) expected to get the bulk of the innings in relief. Francis will be activated off the 15-day injured list for the assignment. Richards tossed 3 1/3 innings of relief last week against the Chicago White Sox and has gone more than an inning in seven of his 25 relief appearances this year, but fantasy managers looking for a streamer should still avoid the 31-year-old veteran. His last appearance came on Sunday against the Pirates. Francis, 28, has been out since late April with forearm tendonitis and had an ugly 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 17 K's and seven walks in 14 2/3 innings for Toronto before going on the IL. Francis will be on a limited pitch count and should be avoided for streaming purposes.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Trevor Richards (neck) has begun a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo. The 29-year-old landed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained neck back on June 18. He's been having a rough year out of the pen, pitching to a 6.59 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 28.2 innings. He's been struggling mightily with his control, averaging 5.0 BB/9, which is way up from last year's 2.8 BB/9 average.