Angels' Garrett Richards: Throws simulated inning Wednesday

Richards (elbow) threw a simulated inning Wednesday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis:

The right-hander cleared an important hurdle with his first live session in more than four months, and he'll now head off to pitch in the instructional league. Richards has scrapped his changeup from his repertoire, leaving him with a fastball-slider-curveball combination. He said earlier this month that he has "no doubt" he will avoid Tommy John surgery and pitch in 2017.