Trevor Richards appears to be taking on a more prominent role in the Chicago White Sox bullpen amid a season marked by flexible pitching assignments. Traditionally, Richards has been deployed in low-leverage situations, often entering games when the team is trailing or holding a lead of at least four runs. However, recent outings suggest a shift toward higher-pressure opportunities.

On Friday, Richards entered a tied game and managed to prevent the Cleveland Guardians from scoring in the eighth and ninth innings. He followed that performance by pitching 1⅓ innings on Sunday with a one-run lead, further indicating the team’s growing trust in his abilities during critical moments.

The White Sox bullpen has largely embraced a committee approach since manager Pedro Grifol moved Seranthony Dominguez out of the closer role. Multiple relievers have shared duties as openers and closers, creating a less defined structure in late-inning pitching assignments. Despite this, Richards has maintained a relatively consistent pattern of usage.

Richards acknowledged that this evolving bullpen strategy reflects trends across Major League Baseball, where teams increasingly favor flexible bullpen roles rather than relying on designated closers or setup men. He noted that success with this system depends largely on the personnel and their adaptability.

“A lot of it depends on the people you have because it’s a different mentality,” Richards said. “I would say half of our bullpen is locked in from [inning] one through nine. You’re ready to go all game long, which takes its toll over the course of the year, but you also get used to it and adapt. I think most of our guys handle it well.”

As the season progresses, Richards’ expanded role could provide the White Sox with added depth and reliability in late-game situations, underscoring the evolving nature of bullpen management in the sport.