Richardson returns for his second year on Long Island after beginning the 2017 season with the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League. The southpaw made 48 appearances (one start) with Sugar Land, going 1-4 with a 5.02 ERA, four saves and 62 strikeouts to 29 walks in 43 innings. He spent time with the Flock in 2016, pitching in 13 games (four starts) and going 1-3 with a 3.51 ERA and 24 strikeouts to seven walks in 25 and two-thirds innings. Prior to joining Long Island, the Kansas native spent all of 2015 and part of 2016 in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, posting a 2-0 mark and a 2.08 ERA in 14 games (four starts) during the former.

The 33-year-old spent two seasons in the Major Leagues as a member of the Boston Red Sox (2009-10). He made 29 appearances in relief and totaled a 3.31 ERA along with 12 strikeouts in 16 and one-third innings. He spent the first five seasons of his career in the Red Sox organization before later pitching in the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Angels organizations. The Texas Tech University alum previously spent two seasons with the Skeeters in 2012 and 2013, combining to make 23 appearances (three starts) and posting a 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA. Richardson was drafted by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2006 amateur draft.