Blue Jays Actually Released Clayton Richard on His Freaking Birthday

Could the Blue Jays really not have waited just one more day?

The Toronto Blue Jays chose Thursday, of all days, to release pitcher Clayton Richard from the roster. It just so happens to be Richard's 36th birthday, but it's probably not the happiest one he's ever celebrated.

That's an incredibly savage and just plain uncool move from the Jays. Even if they don't think Richard has a future within the organization, cutting a guy on his birthday is cold blooded.

And it's not like they weren't aware it was his special day, as the team's Twitter account actually wished him a happy birthday on Thursday morning, just five hours before his release was announced.

The left-hander had not played since mid-July due to a lateral injury, and threw a simulated game at the team's Spring Training facility Thursday before the team made the move.

There would be a minimal difference if the team had decided to wait just one day before releasing him. The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster and activate Elvis Luciano, who was dealing with an elbow injury.

The Blue Jays are working with just three traditional starting pitchers right now, so one has to wonder how that is preferable to bringing back Richard. Clearly, it hasn't helped.