Richard Lovelady

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Richard Lovelady

|image = Richard Lovelady (43539930381) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Lovelady with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2018

|team = Minnesota Twins

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|7|7}}

|birth_place = Hinesville, Georgia, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 9

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Kansas City Royals

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = March 29, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 5–13

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.26

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 93

|teams =

Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2023}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2024}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2024}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2025}})

}}

Richard Tyler Lovelady (born July 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays. Lovelady was selected by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB draft.

Amateur career

Lovelady attended First Presbyterian Christian Academy in Hinesville, Georgia and played college baseball at East Georgia State College and Kennesaw State University.{{cite web|url=http://coastalcourier.com/archives/55370/ |title=Coastal Courier, coastalcourier.com – news and sports for Fort Stewart, Hinesville and Ludowici |publisher=Coastalcourier.com |date=April 17, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2017}} He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.ega.edu/articles/detail/former-egsc-player-drafted-by-kansas-city-royals |title=Former EGSC player drafted by Kansas City Royals |publisher=Ega.edu |date= |access-date=August 27, 2017}}

Professional career

=Kansas City Royals=

Lovelady made his professional debut with the Arizona League Royals and was promoted to the Idaho 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{{cite web|url=http://coastalcourier.com/archives/81959/ |title=Coastal Courier, coastalcourier.com – news and sports for Fort Stewart, Hinesville and Ludowici |publisher=Coastalcourier.com |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2017}} In 2017, he spent time with both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, pitching to a combined 4-2 record and 1.62 ERA in {{fraction|66|2|3}} total relief innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=663992#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL|title=Richard Lovelady Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Doddrdodd |first=Rustin |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article162494268.html |title=Profile of Royals' relief pitchering prospect Richard Lovelady | The Kansas City Star |publisher=Kansascity.com |date=July 19, 2017 |access-date=August 27, 2017}} Lovelady spent 2018 with the Omaha Storm Chasers, going 3-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 46 relief appearances.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=663992#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Richard Lovelady Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=October 11, 2018}} In 2019, he opened the season with Omaha.

Lovelady was promoted to the majors for the first time on April 9, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article229027619.html|title=Royals shake up bullpen pitching staff with burst of roster moves|last=McDowell|first=Sam|publisher=The Kansas City Star|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 9, 2019}} He made his major league debut against the Seattle Mariners that evening, recording two strikeouts in one inning of relief.{{cite web |title=Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals Box Score, April 9, 2019 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA201904090.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |access-date=April 10, 2019}} Lovelady made 1 appearance for the Royals in 2020, giving up one run over one inning pitched.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/richard-lovelady-663992?stats=career-r-pitching-mlb&year=2020|title = Richard Lovelady Stats, Fantasy & News|website = MLB.com}}

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 underwent Tommy 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.{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=Steve|title=American League Non-Tenders: 11/30/21|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/2021-non-tenders-angels-phil-gosselin-royals-richard-lovelady.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|publisher=|date=November 30, 2021|access-date=November 30, 2021}} 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 the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Richard Lovelady: Sent to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-richard-lovelady-sent-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On March 30, 2023, Lovelady was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash and was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.{{cite news |title=Royals deal Matt Beaty, Richard Lovelady in two trades |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36005167/royals-deal-matt-beaty-richard-lovelady-two-trades |access-date=April 15, 2023 |agency=Reuters |work=ESPN.com |date=March 30, 2023}} He appeared in 4 games for Gwinnett, recording a 7.20 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

=Oakland Athletics=

On April 13, 2023, Lovelady was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.{{cite news |title=Thursday's Transactions |url=https://www.standardspeaker.com/ap/sports/agate/thursdays-transactions/article_e9210a58-1ce4-5f1d-ae92-974111e02412.html |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=Standard-Speaker |agency=Associated Press |date=April 13, 2023}} [https://lancasteronline.com/sports/mlb/thursdays-transactions/article_d9cfe56e-2b40-5580-a907-f14f46713260.html Alternate URL] In 27 games for Oakland, he posted a 4.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts in {{fraction|23|1|3}} innings pitched. On July 23, manager Mark Kotsay announced that Lovelady would not return in 2023 after suffering a strain of the pronator muscle in his left forearm.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Richard Lovelady: Shut down for season|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-richard-lovelady-shut-down-for-season/|access-date=July 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 22, 2023 |language=en}} On October 4, Lovelady was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Richard Lovelady: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-richard-lovelady-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=October 4, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=February 2, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On January 31, 2024, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Cubs, Richard Lovelady Agree To Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/cubs-richard-lovelady-agree-to-deal.html|access-date=February 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 29, 2024 |language=en}} After 10 appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, Lovelady was added to Chicago's major league roster on April 28.{{cite news |title=Cubs place LHP Jordan Wicks on 15-day IL, demote LHP Luke Little to Iowa |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40045940/cubs-place-lhp-jordan-wicks-15-day-il-demote-lhp-luke-little-iowa |access-date=April 29, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=April 28, 2024}} In 7 appearances for Chicago, he struggled to a 7.94 ERA with 6 strikeouts across {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings pitched. On May 14, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Cubs Designate Richard Lovelady For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/cubs-dfa-richard-lovelady-trade-tyson-miller-mariners.html|access-date=May 14, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 14, 2024 |language=en}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On May 18, 2024, the Cubs traded Lovelady to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jeff Belge.{{cite news |title=Rays land reliever Richard Lovelady from Cubs for LHP Jeff Belge |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40171818/rays-land-reliever-richard-lovelady-cubs-lhp-jeff-belge |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=May 18, 2024}} In 28 appearances for Tampa Bay, he compiled a 3–5 record and 3.77 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 2 saves over {{fraction|28|2|3}} innings pitched. On November 19, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Rays after Jake Mangum was added to the roster.{{cite news |last1=Berry |first1=Adam |title=Rays send Siri to Mets for reliever Eric Orze |url=https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-trade-jose-siri-to-mets-for-eric-orze |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=November 19, 2024}} Three days later, the Rays non–tendered Lovelady, making him a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Rays non-tender pitchers Colin Poche, Tyler Alexander, 2 others|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/11/22/colin-poche-tyler-alexander-non-tender-deadline-dylan-carlson-richard-lovelady/|access-date=November 23, 2024|website=tampabay.com|language=en}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On January 22, 2025, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Sign Christian Bethancourt, Richard Lovelady To Minor League Deals|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/blue-jays-sign-christian-bethancourt-richard-lovelady-to-minor-league-deals.html|access-date=January 22, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On March 17, the Blue Jays selected Lovelady's contract.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Select Richard Lovelady|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/blue-jays-select-richard-lovelady.html|access-date=March 17, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 2 appearances for Toronto, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 21.60 ERA with 3 strikeouts across {{fraction|1|2|3}} innings pitched. Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on March 30.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Designate Richard Lovelady For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/blue-jays-designate-richard-lovelady-for-assignment.html|access-date=March 30, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 3.https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2025/04/03 However, Lovelady rejected the assignment and elected free agency the following day.{{Cite web|title=Richard Lovelady Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/blue-jays-outright-richard-lovelady.html|access-date=April 10, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On April 8, 2025, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.{{Cite web|title=Twins Sign Richard Lovelady To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-sign-richard-lovelady-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=April 9, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Lovelady and his wife, Maddie, married in 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://theathletic.com/274138/2018/03/16/unorthodox-deliveries-seem-to-work-for-royals-prospect-richard-lovelady/|title=Unorthodox deliveries seem to work for Royals prospect Richard Lovelady|first=Rustin|last=Dodd|website=Theathletic.com|access-date=December 15, 2021}}