Garrett Richards' first test vs. hitters is reassuring

Angels starter Garrett Richards faced major league hitters for the first time since last May because of an elbow injury. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)/ STAFF WRITER

TEMPE, Ariz. – Angels pitcher Garrett Richards said he woke up Sunday with butterflies in his stomach.

It’s been several months since he emerged from the woods of his remarkable recovery from an elbow injury, but Sunday marked the first time since May of last year that Richards faced major-league hitters.

So while he was trying to limit himself to 85 percent effort in his Cactus League debut, the butterflies got the better of Richards. Sometimes his fastball touched 97 mph on the radar gun. Once, his front shoulder flew open and he hit…