Padres, Richard agree to 1-year deal

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year contract to bring back left-hander Clayton Richard, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal will pay him $1.75 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, who later reported Richard can also receive $1 million worth of incentives on top of his base salary.

Richard began 2016 with the Chicago Cubs but was released in August after struggling through an injury-plagued first half in the bullpen. The 33-year-old showed a drastic improvement after being released and joining the Padres, posting a 2.52 ERA while averaging 5.7 strikeouts per nine innings in 11 appearances (nine starts). Overall, Richard posted a 3.33 ERA, 1.655 WHIP, and struck out 41 batters in 36 games last season.

Richard will join fellow free-agent acquisition Jhoulys Chacin - who also agreed to a one-year, $1.75-million deal with the Friars - in San Diego's rotation next year.

Richard, who also pitched in San Diego from 2009-14, missed the entire 2014 season due to thoracic outlet syndrome. He owns a 4.23 career ERA, 543 strikeouts, and a 1.412 WHIP across 206 appearances with the Padres, Cubs, and Chicago White Sox.