Reinforcements are starting to come in slow, steady waves for the Blue Jays' bullpen. It’s been needed, and more are expected.

Tuesday’s addition of Trevor Richards in a trade with the Brewers adds another layer of security to the middle relief picture, helping to stabilize the floor yet again. That’s what the Adam Cimber addition from Miami did, and even Jacob Barnes, who didn’t seem like a major addition at the time when the Blue Jays acquired him from the Mets, has turned in six scoreless innings over the past couple of weeks.

A high-end, back-end arm is still on the shopping list, but Richards should see immediate action for manager Charlie Montoyo's club. Originally a starter when he broke through with the Marlins back in 2018, Richards has since transitioned to a bullpen role. That rebranding needs to fit not only a pitcher’s stuff, but their personality.

“It’s been really good for me,” Richards said on Wednesday, after being officially added to the active roster prior to the middle game of the series against the Orioles. “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s allowed me to pitch a little differently and I think it’s benefitting me more, being able to go after hitters and know that I only have one or two innings max each night. On the flip side, I’m coming to the ballpark every night ready to throw. For me, I like that. I like that feeling and I like doing that more than having the four or five off-days.”

The 28-year-old made a fine first impression in Wednesday’s 10-2 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, pitching the sixth inning after Hyun Jin Ryu exited. Richards needed 14 pitches to get through one clean frame, striking out one in the exact type of spot the Blue Jays plan to use him in going forward.

Richards was already traded earlier this season, from the Rays to the Brewers, but his time with Tampa Bay was valuable. He spent part of three seasons there, and heard a much different philosophy than he did earlier in his career as both a starter and a reliever.

“In Miami, I felt like I was trying to essentially pitch to a scouting report, pitch to small locations and stuff like that,” Richards said. “I got to Tampa and they’re like, ‘You don’t have to do that. Just attack hitters, go after them and let yourself play.' They have a certain way of making you understand that and realize that gets outs. It helps a lot of guys. It definitely helped me, and it kind of changed my career.”

That fits the Blue Jays’ philosophy. Year after year, when they add pitchers, we hear them say that the first words they hear from pitching coach Pete Walker are to be themselves. Walker and the club work to play to the individual’s strengths, and want to see their version of that before getting too involved in tinkering.

On the mound, Richards is a self-described fastball-changeup pitcher, mixing in just the odd breaking ball. His fastball has averaged 92.4 mph this season, according to Statcast, while his changeup -- which Richards throws 33 percent of the time -- is what you’ll see him use when he’s looking for a swing and miss.

Montoyo expects to use Richards in the range of the sixth and seventh innings, often just for one frame or four-to-five outs. If the right-hander can fill that role with an ERA close to the 3.69 he’s put up so far in 2021, that’s a major boost for this group. These middle relief roles, similar to the one Ryan Tepera filled from 2015-19, will help to calm the waters while the Blue Jays shift their focus to raising the ceiling.

Merryweather suffers setback

Julian Merryweather (left oblique strain) was approaching a rehab assignment recently, which could have solved the Blue Jays’ problems on the back end of the bullpen after he teased with 4 1/3 of the most dominant innings you’ll see in early April, touching 101 mph. Not so fast, though.

“He had a little setback,” Montoyo said. “He’s playing catch and playing long toss. He’s still got a ways to go.”

This is a blow for Toronto and for Merryweather, who has dealt with injury after injury throughout his career. At this point, getting Merryweather back and healthy will be a luxury for the Blue Jays, but not something that they can build any long-term plans around. He showed clear closer’s potential, but Wednesday’s news is just another frustrating chapter in a long season of injuries for this club, especially in the bullpen.

Thornton demoted

Right-hander Trent Thornton was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday after allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning of work the previous night, swelling his ERA to 4.78. Thornton had been a hybrid long man since converting to the bullpen, and the club is evaluating how it will treat his time in Triple-A.

“We’re actually talking about that, but he’s got to get used to pitching out of the bullpen,” Montoyo said. “We have to remember that. He used to be a starter. It’s more about getting used to one inning, two innings, no more than that. Then throwing strikes and getting people out, which I know he will.”

At the end of May, Thornton had a 2.49 ERA, and while there were bumps along the way, he seemed to be taking well to the new role. Anthony Kay is now the Blue Jays’ long man, and is coming off his best outing of the season back on June 30 with four scoreless innings. That was Kay’s last outing, though, so expect to see Montoyo look for a spot to use him soon.