Mets Claim 6-Year Veteran Pitcher Off Waivers
.jpg "Washington Nationals pitcher Richard Lovelady pitches during 2026 spring training game.")
Mets Claim Richard Lovelady to Bolster Bullpen Depth
Lovelady’s career has turned into something of a revolving door, but the Mets continue to circle back to the veteran southpaw as extra bullpen depth.
He originally joined the organization in June 2025 after opting out of a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins, then bounced between roster moves before eventually returning again this spring.
The #Nats DFA'd Richard Lovelady to make room for Zack Littell earlier in the week. The Mets have claimed Lovelady off of waivers.
— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) March 14, 2026
In his brief stint with the Mets last season, Lovelady posted a 6.30 ERA over 10 innings across eight appearances, though he showed better form at Triple-A Syracuse with a 2.08 ERA in 17.1 innings.
Across the majors since the start of 2023, the left-hander owns a 5.19 ERA with a 20.7 percent strikeout rate in 69.1 innings while pitching for five different teams.
Lovelady originally debuted in 2019 with the Kansas City Royals, and his career totals now sit at a 5.35 ERA across 118 MLB appearances.
Justin Hagenman Injury Opens Door for Mets Move
The Mets were able to bring Lovelady back largely because of Hagenman’s injury.
The right-hander fractured a rib during an outing earlier this month and is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Hagenman had been projected to start the year as rotation depth at Triple-A Syracuse.
Dicky Lovelady claimed off waivers by the Mets.
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 14, 2026
Hagenman made his Major League debut in 2025, appearing in nine games and logging 23.2 innings with a 4.56 ERA, while striking out 23 hitters and walking just two.
With the injury temporarily removing him from the pitching picture, Lovelady now gets another shot to stick with the Mets.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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