| Richard Lovelady | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Lovelady with theOmaha Storm Chasers in 2018 | |
| Washington Nationals – No. 55 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-07-07)July 7, 1995 (age 30) Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 2019, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–13 |
| Earned run average | 5.35 |
| Strikeouts | 102 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Richard Tyler "Dicky" Lovelady (born July 7, 1995), an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theWashington Nationals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theKansas City Royals,Oakland Athletics,Chicago Cubs,Tampa Bay Rays,Toronto Blue Jays, andNew York Mets. Lovelady was selected by the Royals in the 10th round of the2016 MLB draft.
Lovelady attended First Presbyterian Christian Academy inHinesville, Georgia and playedcollege baseball atEast Georgia State College andKennesaw State University.[1] He was drafted by theKansas City Royals in the 10th round of the2016 Major League Baseball draft.[2]
Lovelady made his professional debut with theArizona League Royals and was promoted to theIdaho Falls Chukars during the season; in 25 total relief innings pitched between both teams, he posted a 2-1 record, 1.80 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP[3] In 2017, he spent time with both theWilmington Blue Rocks and theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals, pitching to a combined 4-2 record and 1.62 ERA in66+2⁄3 total relief innings pitched.[4][5] Lovelady spent 2018 with theOmaha Storm Chasers, going 3-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 46 relief appearances.[6] In 2019, he opened the season with Omaha.
Lovelady was promoted to the majors for the first time on April 9, 2019.[7] He made his major league debut against theSeattle Mariners that evening, recording two strikeouts in one inning of relief.[8] Lovelady made 1 appearance for the Royals in 2020, giving up one run over one inning pitched.[9]
In 20 appearances for the Royals in 2021, Lovelady recorded a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances for the team. On September 30, 2021, Lovelady underwentTommy John surgery, which wiped him out for the entire 2022 season. On November 30, Lovelady was non-tendered by the Royals, making him a free agent.[10] He was re-signed by the Royals the next day on a minor league contract.
On November 10, 2022, Lovelady was selected to the 40-man roster to be protected from theRule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2023 season.[11]
On March 30, 2023, Lovelady was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange for cash and was optioned to the Triple-AGwinnett Stripers.[12] He appeared in 4 games for Gwinnett, recording a 7.20 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.
On April 13, 2023, Lovelady was claimed off waivers by theOakland Athletics.[13] In 27 games for Oakland, he posted a 4.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts in23+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 23, managerMark Kotsay announced that Lovelady would not return in 2023 after suffering a strain of thepronator muscle in his left forearm.[14] On October 4, Lovelady was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ALas Vegas Aviators.[15] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[16]
On January 31, 2024, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.[17] After 10 appearances for the Triple–AIowa Cubs, Lovelady was added to Chicago's major league roster on April 28.[18] In 7 appearances for Chicago, he struggled to a 7.94 ERA with 6 strikeouts across5+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 14, Lovelady wasdesignated for assignment by the Cubs.[19]
On May 18, 2024, the Cubs traded Lovelady to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jeff Belge.[20] In 28 appearances for Tampa Bay, he compiled a 3–5 record and 3.77 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 2 saves over28+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 19, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Rays afterJake Mangum was added to the roster.[21] Three days later, the Rays non–tendered Lovelady, making him a free agent.[22]
On January 22, 2025, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[23] On March 17, the Blue Jays selected Lovelady's contract.[24] In 2 appearances for Toronto, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 21.60 ERA with 3 strikeouts across1+2⁄3 innings pitched. Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on March 30.[25] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons on April 3.[26] However, Lovelady rejected the assignment and elected free agency the following day.[27]
On April 8, 2025, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins.[28] In 19 appearances for the Triple-ASt. Paul Saints, he logged an 0-1 record and 1.31 ERA with 22 strikeouts and six saves across20+2⁄3 innings pitched. Lovelady opted out of his contract and was released by the Twins organization on June 18.[29]
On June 23, 2025, Lovelady signed a one-year, major league contract with theNew York Mets.[30] On the same day, Lovelady requested to be known as "Dicky Lovelady" in media statements and in other unofficial contexts.[31] His preferred name was considered humorous by fans and became popular online,[32] and as a result, the adult websiteCamSoda offered Lovelady $250,000 to perform for the site.[33]
Lovelady made one appearance for the team, allowing two runs in1+2⁄3 innings against theAtlanta Braves. Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Mets on June 25.[34] He elected free agency after clearing waivers on June 27.[35] On June 29, Lovelady re-signed with the Mets on a new major league contract.[36] After continued struggles over five additional games, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the team on July 18.[37] On September 20, the Mets selected Lovelady's contract, adding him back to their active roster.[38] He made two additional appearances for the team, allowing two runs (one earned) with four strikeouts across3+1⁄3 innings pitched. Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Mets on September 25.[39] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the minor leagues on September 27,[40] but he elected free agency on September 29.[41]
On October 23, 2025, the Mets re-signed Lovelady to a one-year major league contract.[42] On January 22, 2026, Lovelady was designated for assignment following the acquisition ofVidal Bruján.[43]
On January 29, 2026, Lovelady was claimed off waivers by theWashington Nationals.[44]
Lovelady and his wife, Maddie, married in 2019.[45] The couple had a son in 2023.[33]