Angels' Richards cleared to throw after 'significant improvement'

Garrett Richards went the unconventional route to fix his elbow injury, and it appears to be paying off.

The Los Angeles Angels right-hander was cleared to throw by doctors after the team saw "significant improvement" in his elbow following a torn ulnar collateral ligament sustained earlier this season, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Richards, who won't return until 2017, opted to forego Tommy John surgery in favor of a stem-cell treatment that so far appears to be working quite nicely.

The 28-year-old made 25 throws at Angel Stadium from a 45-foot distance Monday, and told reporters afterward his arm felt great.

"(It's) crazy how far I've come in (such a) short time," Richards said.

His next goal, according to Fletcher, is to pitch in either the instructional league or Arizona Fall League in November. Appearing in either of those circuits will mean he's successfully avoided surgery.

Richards worked out with his club at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, and said at the time he felt zero pain in his injured elbow.

''I literally feel like my arm is refreshed,'' Richards told reporters. ''Everything feels great. My shoulder feels nice and loose. I feel zero discomfort in my arm. Nothing even close to what I was feeling when I was put on the (disabled list) or anything.''

Richards, the Angels' Opening Day starter, saw his season end after a four-inning start in Texas on May 1. Before getting hurt, he posted a 2.34 ERA and 34 strikeouts in six appearances.