Richard Lovelady's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady's contract, according to the team. Lovelady opened the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Cubs and eventually moved over to Tampa Bay. Across 34 1/3 cumulative innings in the big leagues, the southpaw held a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He carried a weak 17.7% K rate and a 46.3% hard-hit rate. However, he did generate a strong 51.9% ground ball rate which was significantly above the average marks. Through 22 innings in Triple-A, Lovelady posted a 4.09 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Lovelady to continue to operate as a middle relief option out of the bullpen in 2025 if he can find a potential suitor.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Richard Lovelady (forearm) started a minor-league rehab assignment on July 8 in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk while recording two outs (one strikeout). Lovelady was scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Durham on Friday, marking his first back-to-back appearances on his rehab assignment. For the year, he's 2-4 with a 7.62 ERA in 15 games, including a 2-3 mark with a 7.36 ERA in eight games for the Rays, so he's well off the fantasy radar. The 29-year-old southpaw was acquired from the Cubs in May and was put on the 15-day injured list on June 8 with a left-forearm flexor strain a day after throwing a scoreless inning against the Orioles. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Lovelady could rejoin Tampa's bullpen in early August.

The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring relief pitcher Richard Lovelady from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Jeff Belge. Lovelady posted a hefty 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 5 innings with the Cubs. Belge, who has yet to make his major league debut, has posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 15 innings at Double-A. The 26-year-old should be expected to remain in Double-A as he joins the Cubs system. Lovelady is the only healthy southpaw currently in the Rays bullpen with Colin Poche (back) on the 15-day injured list. Lovelady should remain on all waiver wires but could tally the occasional hold pitching for a strong Rays team.

Free-agent relief pitcher Richard Lovelady has signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old will presumably receive an invite to big-league spring training. After three years with the Royals, Lovelady spent the 2023 campaign with the A's, working to a 4.63 ERA in 27 outings before a forearm strain suffered in July cost him the rest of his season. Lovelady worked to a rock-solid 3.48 ERA with the Royals in 2022 but sits with a 5.26 ERA across 73 outings and 65 innings of work in the big leagues. His 3.99 SIERA from 2023 is decent and he posted a palatable 14.6% K-BB% a season ago, as well. He will compete for a left-handed bullpen role with the Cubs or could serve as Triple-A bullpen depth in 2024.