Mets Bring Back Veteran Left-Handed Reliever on One-Year Deal
The New York Mets have re-signed veteran left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady to a one-year major league contract, giving their bullpen a familiar face heading into the 2026 season.
Lovelady, 30, returns after a 2025 campaign in which he posted a 6.30 ERA across eight appearances. He began last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed four runs over just 1.2 innings before being designated for assignment in late March.
Following brief stints in the Blue Jays and Twins minor league systems, Lovelady joined the Mets on June 23 and made six appearances between June 24 and July 10. He reappeared for two more outings in late September as New York made its final push for a Wild Card spot.
The Mets’ bullpen, which set an MLB record by using 46 pitchers in 2025, struggled with inconsistency throughout the season. After being outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse before the regular-season finale, Lovelady elected free agency — but ultimately chose to return to New York this week.
Lovelady’s Career Journey
Lovelady debuted with the Kansas City Royals, making 46 appearances from 2019–2021. After limited action in 2020, he posted a 3.48 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 20.2 innings during 2021.
He was later traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2023 but spent most of that season in the minors before resurfacing in the majors with the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched in 27 games and recorded a 4.63 ERA.
In 2024, Lovelady split time between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, struggling early but rebounding with a 3.77 ERA over 28.2 innings for Tampa Bay.
Nearly a decade after being selected in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Lovelady has yet to establish himself as a consistent bullpen fixture. However, as a seasoned left-handed reliever, he’s expected to compete for a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster next March.
Lovelady’s re-signing marks the first of several bullpen moves expected this offseason as the Mets look to rebuild a relief corps that faltered down the stretch in 2025.
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