SAN DIEGO -- The rebuilding San Diego Padres have extended the contract of left-hander Clayton Richard through the 2019 season.
Richard, 34, is the oldest player on the team, which doesn't envision being competitive until 2019 or 2020.
Richard is 7-14 with a 4.82 ERA and has thrown 185 innings.
General manager A.J. Preller said Wednesday that Richard wanted to remain with the Padres and that his veteran presence in a clubhouse full of young players is valuable.
Preller said Richard will be in the rotation to start the 2018 season, but that he understands it will be competitive from there on and that he could be used in other roles.