November 24, 2024
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.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
July 29, 2024
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 18, 2024
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 ⅔ 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.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
February 1, 2024
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.
--Brenton KempSource: MLB.com
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