PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets’ on-again, off-again relationship with Richard Lovelady continued on Saturday, when the team claimed the left-handed reliever off waivers from the Nationals. This marks the fourth time the Mets have acquired Lovelady in the last nine months.
Initially signed as a free agent last June, Lovelady spent only a few days with the Mets before they designated him for assignment. He elected free agency, then re-signed with the Mets days later. Once the regular season ended, Lovelady became a free agent again, only to re-sign on a split contract. Three months later, the Mets DFA’d Lovelady a second time, and Washington scooped him off waivers. He remained with the Nationals until they designated him for assignment earlier this week.
Through it all, Lovelady pitched 10 innings for the Mets, allowing seven earned runs. He found more success at Triple-A Syracuse, where he produced a 2.08 ERA over 17 1/3 innings.
Lovelady goes by the nickname “Dickie” in informal settings, but by Richard in a professional context.
The Mets had space to add Lovelady back to the 40-man roster because of an injury suffered by right-hander Justin Hagenman, who was part of the team’s rotation depth. Hagenman fractured a rib during his last outing on March 5 and will miss at least the first two months of the season.
“It’s a pretty significant injury,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s going to be down for a while.”
Hagenman had been slated to start the season in Syracuse’s rotation.