| Richard Lovelady | |
| Team: | Tampa Bay Rays |
| Number: | 55 |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 7 July 1995 |
| Birth Place: | Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | April 9 |
| Debutyear: | 2019 |
| Debutteam: | Kansas City Royals |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Statyear: | August 8, 2024 |
| Stat1value: | 5–10 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 5.58 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 76 |
| Teams: |
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Richard Tyler Lovelady (born July 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. Lovelady was selected by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Lovelady attended First Presbyterian Christian Academy in Hinesville, Georgia and played college baseball at East Georgia State College and Kennesaw State University.[1] He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[2]
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[3] 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 66.2 total relief innings pitched.[4] [5] Lovelady spent 2018 with the Omaha 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 the Seattle 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 underwent Tommy 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 the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2023 season.[11]
On March 30, 2023, Lovelady was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash and was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett 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 the Oakland Athletics.[13] In 27 games for Oakland, he posted a 4.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 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.[14] On October 4, Lovelady was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Las 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 the Chicago Cubs.[17] After 10 appearances for the Triple–A Iowa 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 across innings pitched. On May 14, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[19]
On May 18, 2024, the Cubs traded Lovelady to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jeff Belge.[20]
Lovelady and his wife, Maddie, married in 2019.[21]