The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady off waivers from the New York Mets and designated utility player Mickey Gasper for assignment on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made the announcement.
Lovelady, 30, is 5-13 with three saves, a 5.35 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 118 appearances across six Major League seasons with the Kansas City Royals (2019-21), Oakland Athletics (2023), Chicago Cubs (2024), Tampa Bay Rays (2024), Toronto Blue Jays (2025) and New York Mets (2025). He struck out 12 in 11.2 innings between Toronto and New York (NL) last season.
A versatile reliever, Lovelady is one of 14 Major League lefties to record at least three saves and 15 holds while keeping opponents to a less-than 27 percent inherited runners scored percentage over the last five seasons. Since 2021, Lovelady has inherited 52 runners and allowed just 14 to score (26.9%).
Originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Lovelady is 12-12 with a 2.43 ERA and 303 strikeouts in 270.0 innings across 205 Minor League appearances.
Washington’s 40-man roster is now at 40 players.