Richard

Lovelady

Lovelady needed just six pitches to pick up the save. It’s just the second of the year for the 29-year-old, and the scoreless inning lowers his ERA to 4.75. Congrats to the millions who had Richard Lovelady in their fantasy lineup Thursday.

Lovelady entered the game in the top of the eighth with two outs and the bases loaded to protect a five-run lead. He got Corbin Carroll to ground out to escape the jam, then tossed a clean ninth inning to come away with the save.

Lovelady returns to Tampa Bay’s bullpen for Thursday’s game against the Cardinals following a two-month absence recovering from a left forearm flexor strain. The 29-year-old southpaw holds a lackluster 7.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 6/1 K/BB ratio across 7 1/3 innings (eight appearances) this season for the Rays.

Lovelady heads to the injured list after posting an inflated 7.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 6/1 K/BB ratio across 7 1/3 innings (eight appearances) since being acquired last month in a trade with the Cubs. The 28-year-old lefty figures to miss at least a couple weeks. There should be some clarity on his return timeline soon. There’s reason for concern here since he missed the final few months of last season with an elbow issue.

The Rays acquired Lovelady from the Cubs on Saturday and will now add him to the active roster. It seems a curious move on the surface for the Rays since Lovelady has a 7.94 ERA in 5 2/3 innings on the year and a 5.48 career ERA. They also demoted Manuel Rodriguez, who was having a strong year, to make room for Lovelady; however, the Rays have earned some leeway when it comes to adding relievers.

Rodríguez posted a 2.79 ERA with nine strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings this season but will be sent down to the minors to make room for Richard Lovelady. Rodríguez will likely be back up in the near future.

Lovelady heads to Tampa Bay in a small trade just a few days after being jettisoned from Chicago’s 40-man roster. The 28-year-old southpaw made seven relief appearances this season for the Cubs and figures to pitch in middle relief for Tampa Bay.

The Cubs need room on the 40-man roster after trading for Tyson Miller. Lovelady is booted from both the active and 40-man roster, and Chicago will either trade the left-hander or try and stash him in Triple-A Iowa. The 28-year-old can elect free agency if the latter happens.

Lovelady, 28, struggled through 10 appearances at Triple-A Iowa to begin the season, registering a 5.84 ERA and 1.87 WHIP over 12 1/3 innings, though he did sport an impressive 20/1 K/BB ratio. He’ll work in middle relief for the Cubs. Luke Little was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

The 28-year-old southpaw threw a bullpen at Driveline’s Pro Day on Monday in front of interested clubs and came out of it with a deal from the Cubs. Lovelady was shut down in July and missed the remainder of the 2023 season due to a strained forearm, but it looks as though the ailment is in the past. He’ll compete for a spot in the club’s Opening Day bullpen.