NEW YORK -- The Mets made their first Major League signing of the offseason on Thursday, re-signing lefty reliever Richard Lovelady to a one-year contract.
Lovelady, 30, initially signed in June with the Mets, who were in need of left-handed relief at that time. He spent the next three months shuttling between the Majors and Triple-A Syracuse. On three occasions, the Mets designated him for assignment.
But Lovelady ended the season in the organization, allowing the Mets to sign him before the official start of free agency. He produced a 6.30 ERA in the Majors and a 2.08 mark at Syracuse. Overall, Lovelady owns a 5.35 ERA in 118 MLB appearances, holding lefties to a .660 OPS.
Back in New York, Lovelady will provide left-handed depth for an organization that lost its top two lefties, A.J. Minter and Danny Young, to season-ending injuries in April. Minter is expected to play a significant role in 2026 but will need help. In addition to Lovelady, the Mets recently signed veteran lefty Joe Jacques to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.