Richard Lovelady
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MLB Player Data
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Jun 29 2025The Mets signed Lovelady to a one-year, major-league contract Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-hander elected free agency Friday after being designated for assignment by New York, but he quickly re-signed with the organization. Lovelady gave up two runs over 1.2 innings during his lone appearance with the Mets and also surrendered four runs across 1.2 frames during a stint with the Blue Jays at the start of the season. The Mets designated left-hander Colin Poche for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Lovelady.
Jun 27 2025Lovelady elected free agency Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was designated for assignment Wednesday and rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse. The 29-year-old lefty appeared in just one game for the Mets, allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out one across 1.2 innings of work in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to Atlanta.
Jun 25 2025The Mets designated Lovelady for assignment Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was just signed Monday and made one appearance for the Mets, allowing two runs over 1.2 innings. If he clears waivers, Lovelady will have the ability to elect free agency.
Jun 23 2025The Mets signed Lovelady to a one-year contract Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady opted out of his minor-league contract with the Twins last week and now joins the Mets' big-league roster. The lefty reliever allowed four runs over 1.2 innings earlier this season with the Blue Jays but collected a 1.31 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings with Triple-A St. Paul.
Apr 4 2025Lovelady cleared waivers and elected free agency Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady allowed four earned runs Saturday against the Orioles and was designated for assignment the next day. He's pitched significant innings in the majors the last two seasons, so he should have the opportunity to latch on with a new team.
Mar 30 2025The Blue Jays designated Lovelady for assignment Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady attended spring training as a non-roster invitee and was able to win a spot in Toronto's Opening Day bullpen, but his stay with the big club didn't last long. He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster and in the bullpen to lefty Mason Fluharty, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Lovelady's dismissal comes after he gave up four earned runs on two hits, two walks and three hit batsmen over 1.2 innings between his first two relief appearances of the season.
Mar 17 2025The Blue Jays selected Lovelady's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager John Schneider said Monday that Lovelady is still competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the Blue Jays elected to go ahead and add him to their 40-man roster now, likely due to an opt-out in the reliever's minor-league contract. Lovelady does not have minor-league options left, so he would need to go through waivers first if the club wanted to send him to Buffalo. The southpaw has allowed five runs (four earned) with an 8:3 K:BB in seven innings this spring.
Nov 22 2024The Rays non-tendered Lovelady on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday, and he'll now officially enter free agency and look to sign with a team in need of a southpaw out of the bullpen. Across 35 major-league appearances between the Cubs and Rays in 2024, Lovelady posted a 4.46 ER and 1.31 WHIP over 34.1 innings
Nov 19 2024The Rays designated Lovelady for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady is a roster casualty as the Rays look to clear space on Rule 5 Draft protection day. The lefty reliever holds a career 4.98 ERA and 90:36 K:BB over 99.1 innings covering parts of five big-league seasons.
Sep 13 2024Lovelady pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save over the Guardians on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady relieved Manuel Rodriguez to open the bottom of the ninth and managed to retire the side in order on just six pitches to lock down his second save of the campaign. It was a nice bounceback performance for the southpaw after he surrendered two runs and took the loss in his previous outing Tuesday. It also marked Lovelady's first save opportunity since Aug. 17 against the Diamondbacks, and he's now held opponents scoreless in six of his last seven relief appearances.
Aug 18 2024Lovelady didn't allow a baserunner across 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up the save Saturday against Arizona. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manuel Rodriguez began the eighth inning with a 6-1 lead but loaded the bases with two outs. Lovelady was called in to get out of the jam and induced a groundout against lefty Corbin Carroll to end the frame. He then remained in the contest and completed a clean ninth inning to earn his second career save unconventionally. Pete Fairbanks remains the primary closer for the Rays.
Aug 8 2024The Rays activated Lovelady (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady has been on the sidelines since early June with a flexor strain, but he's been cleared to return after making 11 rehab appearances, the last six of which were scoreless. Hunter Bigge has been sent down in a corresponding move.
Jul 9 2024Lovelady's (forearm) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady made his first rehab appearance Monday with the Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate, but he yielded four runs over two-thirds of an inning before being pulled. Still, he'll be bumped up to Durham to continue his rehab from a strained left forearm.
Jul 8 2024Lovelady (forearm) was sent to the Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate Monday to begin a rehab assignment. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady has been shelved since early June with a left forearm flexor strain but has been cleared to test things out in a game setting. The left-handed reliever has posted a 7.36 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 7.1 innings with the Rays this season and appears poised for a return at the start of the second half.
Jun 24 2024Lovelady (forearm) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was placed on the injured list June 8 due to a left forearm flexor strain. Prior to the injury, he appeared in eight games for the Rays, registering a 7.36 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 7.1 innings. Lovelady will likely need a few bullpen sessions without any setbacks before beginning a rehab assignment.
Jun 8 2024The Rays placed Lovelady on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left forearm flexor strain. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady has been with the Rays since May 18 after being traded by the Cubs. He's appeared in eight games for Tampa Bay since the trade, registering a 7.36 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 7.1 innings. The Rays reinstated left-hander Colin Poche (back) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.
May 18 2024The Cubs traded Lovelady to the Rays on Saturday in exchange for Jeff Belge. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was cast off the Cubs' 40-man roster Tuesday following the acquisition of Tyson Miller, but he will get another shot with a big-league club as he joins Tampa Bay. Lovelady hasn't found much success in the majors this season, allowing five earned runs across 5.2 innings since being selected from Triple-A in late April. Jacob Waguespack (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.
May 14 2024Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Cubs needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for new acquisition Tyson Miller. Lovelady had allowed five runs over his last four appearances before being booted off the roster.
Apr 28 2024The Cubs selected Lovelady's contract from Triple-Iowa on Sunday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-hander failed to make Chicago's season-opening roster but will join the big club a month into the season. Lovelady struggled out of the bullpen at Iowa with a 5.84 ERA and 1.90 WHIP, though he did have a 20:1 K:BB across 12.1 innings.
Oct 4 2023The Athletics outrighted Lovelady (forearm) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady held a 4.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB through 23.1 innings of relief this season with the A's before missing the entire second half because of a severe left forearm strain. The 28-year-old southpaw is officially off the 40-man roster in Oakland, though he'll remain part of the organization for the time being.
Aug 23 2023The Athletics transferred Lovelady (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady's move to the 60-day IL was merely a formality after he had already been ruled out for the season with a strained left forearm. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Sean Newcomb, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Jul 22 2023Athletics manager Mark Kotsay announced Saturday that Lovelady (forearm) has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kotsay didn't provide any other information, but Lovelady's weekend visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache apparently didn't yield encouraging news for his injured left forearm. The 28-year-old reliever finishes the 2023 campaign with a 4.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in 23.1 innings.
Jul 14 2023Lovelady was placed on the 15-day injured list with an undisclosed injury Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was just reinstated less than two weeks ago after missing time with an elbow strain, so his arm likely started barking again. Freddy Tarnok was recalled from Triple-A to take Lovelady's place on the active roster.
Jul 2 2023Lovelady (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady landed on the shelf in mid-June with a left-elbow strain, but he spent just one day over the 15-day minimum on the IL. He's been a solid late-inning option for Oakland this year with four holds and a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 21 innings.
Jun 27 2023Lovelady (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session before Tuesday's game versus the Yankees, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady has been on the 15-day injured list with a strain in his left elbcow since June 16. The left-hander will likely need to throw a couple more sessions and may need a rehab assignment before having a chance to rejoin the the Oakland bullpen in the early portion of July.
Jun 16 2023Oakland placed Lovelady on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left elbow strain. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady suffered the injury while making a relief appearance Thursday against the Rays. It looked serious, and the diagnosis sounds serious, but the Athletics have yet to project a recovery timetable. Chad Smith will join the A's pitching mix in a corresponding move.
Jun 15 2023Lovelady was removed from Thursday's game against the Rays with an apparent left arm injury, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was grabbing his left forearm after throwing a pitch and was instantly removed by trainers. The A's will take a look at him and should provide an official update relatively soon.
Mar 30 2023Atlanta acquired Lovelady from the Royals on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. He was then optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady failed to make the Royals' Opening Day roster and is now headed to a new organization. He'll provide Atlanta with some left-handed relief depth at Gwinnett.
Mar 25 2023Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady had an excellent spring, pitching eight innings without allowing an earned run or a walk while striking out 10. Despite the strong showing, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports the Royals want Lovelady to work on building up arm strength after missing most of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. If the southpaw can continue his strong pitching into the minor-league regular season, it shouldn't be long before he's an option for the major-league roster.
Mar 15 2023Lovelady has yet to allow an earned run over six innings across six Cactus League appearances. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady has allowed four hits and struck out eight without issuing a walk. The 27-year-old returned from Tommy John surgery late in the 2022 campaign, logging four scoreless outings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. He has 46 appearances in the majors during his career, and he should slot into a low-leverage role in the bullpen this season thanks to his strong play in spring.
Nov 10 2022The Royals selected Lovelady's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady sat out most of 2022 while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery, but he returned to game action in September with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. The left-hander had a 3.48 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB across 20.2 innings prior to the injury in 2021 and could be a bullpen piece for Kansas City to open next season.
Nov 30 2021Lovelady (elbow) was non-tendered by the Royals on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady underwent Tommy John surgery in September and is set to miss the entire 2022 campaign, so the Royals opted not to tender him a contract.
Sep 29 2021Lovelady (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was initially expected to avoid surgery for the sprained UCL in his left elbow, but that is no longer the case. Given the recovery timeline involved with the surgery, it's unlikely the lefty pitches in the majors during 2022. He should have plenty of time to be ready for the 2023 season, barring any setbacks in the lengthy recovery.
Sep 15 2021Lovelady (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was already expected to miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his left elbow in late August, and the move to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old hasn't undergone Tommy John surgery and is instead going through a rest and rehab program, so he should be able to pitch next season if all goes well in his recovery.
Aug 29 2021Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday that he expects Lovelady to avoid surgery and treat the sprained UCL in his left elbow with rest and rehab, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Injuries of these sort often involve Tommy John surgery, but Lovelady appears likely to avoid a procedure that would sideline him through the 2022 season. Though Moore didn't say so, Lovelady is still expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign, but the lefty will be sent in for further tests before the Royals provide an updated timeline for his return, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
Aug 23 2021Lovelady allowed a hit and struck out one without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning to earn a hold in Monday's 7-1 win over Houston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The southpaw entered with one out in the seventh inning with Kansas City leading 4-1. Lovelady has earned two holds in his last five outings, and he's only allowed three hits while striking out six in that 5.1 inning span. For the year, he has a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB while adding a 2-0 record and one save in 18.2 innings. While he probably won't be a regular late-inning option, he's pitched well enough to warrant more high-leverage work lately.
Aug 8 2021Lovelady worked a perfect ninth inning Sunday, striking out two batters and earning a save over the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady had only seen one save chance in his career prior to Sunday's outing, a blown opportunity back in 2019. He quickly rolled through the ninth inning, striking out Tommy Edman and Paul DeJong on the way to his first career save. The 26-year-old southpaw owns a 4.50 ERA through 12 innings this season.
Jul 25 2021Lovelady allowed a run on two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings versus Detroit on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-hander hasn't seen much work lately, as Saturday was just his second appearance since the All-Star break. Lovelady has allowed runs in three of his seven outings this year, although he's managed to pick up two wins. Overall, he has a 5.87 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 7.2 innings in a low-leverage role.
Jul 6 2021Lovelady (2-0) retired the only batter he faced, earning the win over Cincinnati on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The southpaw got the final out in the top of the ninth inning, and he was the pitcher of record when Kansas City rallied to walk it off in the bottom half of the frame. Lovelady allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning his previous appearance, so he's likely to remain in a low-leverage role going forward despite picking up wins in two of his four outings this year.
Jul 3 2021Lovelady (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one in two scoreless innings, earning the win in Friday's 7-4 win over Minnesota. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady left Wednesday's contest after he was hit by a comebacker in the abdomen. The southpaw ultimately didn't miss much time. He relieved starter Brady Singer to start the fourth inning and it was Lovelady who was credited with the win. The 25-year-old reliever is likely to remain in a low-leverage role.
Jun 30 2021Lovelady exited Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after being struck by a comebacker on the abdomen in the bottom of the seventh inning, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. He fanned one while retiring all five batters he faced. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After Lovelady breezed through the first four hitters he faced, J.D. Martinez smoked a liner off his abdomen. He was able to throw Martinez out at first base but was forced to exit with trainers. The club figures to provide a further update on the left-hander later Wednesday.
Jun 29 2021Lovelady was recalled as expected Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady spent a day on the active roster in mid-April but didn't get into a game. Wade Davis (forearm) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.
Mar 30 2021Lovelady was optioned to the Royals' alternate training site Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady hasn't shown much of note in his 21 major-league innings thus far, struggling to a 7.71 ERA. He could join the active roster when the Royals need another lefty in the bullpen, but he's unlikely find himself in a high-leverage role.
Sep 24 2020Lovelady was recalled by the Royals on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady was sent down by Kansas City just after Opening Day, but he'll return to the Royals' bullpen with four games remaining in the regular season. The southpaw has made 25 major-league appearances over the past two seasons, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.90 ERA over 21 innings during that time.
Jul 27 2020Lovelady was optioned by the Royals on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovelady made one appearance in the Royals' first three games, allowing a run on a solo homer in his lone inning Sunday. He'll make way on the roster for Ryan O'Hearn, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.
Aug 23 2019Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Jul 26 2019Lovelady was recalled<\/a> from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 25 2019Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.