Richards isn’t expected to return this season

ANAHEIM — When Angels right-hander Garrett Richards first heard he had torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in early May, it seemed like a strong possibility he would miss the rest of the 2016 season.

Now, Angels manager Mike Scioscia sees it as a near certainty, saying on Friday that he does not see a scenario in which Richards pitches in the Major Leagues again this season.

Richards elected to put off Tommy John surgery, which would have likely knocked him out for both the rest of 2016 and the entirety of the ’17 season, instead opting for a stem-cell injection aimed at promoting healing in the ligament. Richards is slated to be re-evaluated on Wednesday, and if he is symptom-free he would be able to begin throwing.

The problem lies with time, as he would have to work on regaining strength in his arm through a minimum six-week throwing program that would likely carry him through the rest of the season.

Scioscia said Thursday that while injury expectations can always be broken, he doesn’t see enough time left for Richards to make a proper return this season.

“I think it would be such a longshot that, when a guy is cleared to start throwing, we’re going to be running up against a calendar,” he said. “That clock is …

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