| Richard Lovelady | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Lovelady with theOmaha Storm Chasers in 2018 | |
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 68 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-07-07)July 7, 1995 (age 29) Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 2019, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–12 |
| Earned run average | 4.98 |
| Strikeouts | 90 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Richard Tyler Lovelady (born July 7, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theToronto Blue Jays ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theKansas City Royals,Oakland Athletics,Chicago Cubs, andTampa Bay Rays. 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 in 66.2 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, 2021, 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 5.0 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]
Lovelady and his wife, Maddie, married in 2019.[25]