Angels scratch Garrett Richards from Friday start

Garrett Richards will not start Friday night’s series opener against Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer, the Angels announced Thursday. Richards has been fatigued since he became dehydrated and experienced cramps during a 33-pitch fourth inning in Texas on Sunday.

He was removed after that inning. Afterward, he said he felt fine. He played catch normally on Monday and Tuesday, but did not throw his between-starts bullpen session Wednesday, citing an overall lack of crispness across his body.

Richards saw a doctor in Texas on Sunday and again Thursday in Southern California. The Angels said they would make a further announcement on his status Friday.

Reliever Cory Rasmus will replace Richards as a spot starter. Rasmus filled that role six times in 2014 and once last year.

Richards, 27, has a 2.34 earned-run average over six starts in 2016. If he’s out beyond this start, the Angels will have to scramble to gather enough innings from their pitchers.

He was one of four healthy starters the Angels had on their roster, with left-handers C.J. Wilson, Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney all injured, and right-hander Matt Shoemaker recently demoted to triple A.