Nationals Complete Trade With Mets For 9-Time DFA'd Pitcher

For the fifth time in the past year, the New York Mets are saying goodbye to left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady. He was DFA'd this past weekend, and has now been traded to the Washington Nationals. Yes, the same team that claimed Lovelady after the last time the Mets designated him for assignment, in January.

The Mets have traded Richard Lovelady to the Nationals for cash considerations pic.twitter.com/AhkjsjWRsf
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 16, 2026

The Mets receive cash considerations from the Nats.

New York had re-claimed Lovelady off waivers in March, when Washington had DFA'd him during Spring Training.

Overall, Lovelady has been DFA'd nine times in his seven-year career, five of them since last June when the Mets signed him to a big-league deal.

Lovelady actually got off to a decent start for the Mets this season, with a 3.68 ERA in 7 1/3 innings over six appearances. Unfortunately, the four walks and eight hits allowed left him with a 1.63 WHIP.

But he was the casualty when they called up veteran righty Craig Kimbrel this past weekend.

The Nats will be the southpaw's seventh team in his seven MLB seasons. He's posted an overall ERA of 5.25, but the lefty has some nice splits, holding left-handed batters to a .234 mark and a .654 OPS.

Lovelady does not have minor league options remaining, so he’ll join the Washington bullpen directly. But other decisions may be coming, as he'll now be the 4th lefty reliever on the roster.