New York Mets Bring Back 6-Year Veteran Left-Handed Pitcher
.jpg "New York Mets pitcher Richard Lovelady pitches during 2025 game.")
The New York Mets have re-signed left-hander Richard Lovelady to a one-year major-league contract, bringing back a familiar arm to bolster a bullpen that needs reliable lefty depth.
It’s a low-cost move with real upside after Lovelady paired a limited big-league sample with excellent results in Triple-A. For the Mets, who cycled through options late last season, keeping a strike-throwing southpaw in the fold is a sensible first step to rebuilding the relief corps.
Richard Lovelady is back. The Mets have signed him to a one-year big league contract, the team announced.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 23, 2025
Why the Mets sign Richard Lovelady now makes sense
Lovelady’s major-league line in 2025 wasn’t pretty, but the Mets saw enough under the hood to buy into another look.
He turned in a sharp stint at Triple-A Syracuse, where his ERA was 1.66 and his WHIP stayed lean, reinforcing the command-and-deception profile that has long made him tough on left-handed hitters.
With the club expecting A.J. Minter back in 2026 and decisions ahead on the back end, Lovelady offers a ready-made option to compete for Opening Day, without squeezing the budget.
The Mets have announced that they have signed Richard Lovelady to a one-year, major league contract.
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) October 23, 2025
Lovelady had a 6.30 ERA in eight appearances with the Mets last season. pic.twitter.com/a6ABTzHWqc
How Lovelady fits the 2026 bullpen picture
New York needs innings and flexibility. Lovelady has both, plus experience across multiple organizations, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and Kansas City Royals.
His track record against lefties and recent strikeout-to-walk improvements give the staff a matchup piece who can work clean middle frames or bridge to late-inning arms. With several roles up for grabs this winter, he’ll enter camp squarely in the mix.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
