The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady off waivers from the New York Mets on Thursday, adding a veteran arm to their bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated utility player Mickey Gasper for assignment. Lovelady brings six years of Major League experience to the organization.
The Nationals' move bolsters their relief pitching options ahead of the 2026 season. Richard Lovelady, a 30-year-old southpaw, has appeared in 118 Major League games since his debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2019. Across stints with the Royals (2019-21), Oakland Athletics (2023), Chicago Cubs (2024), Tampa Bay Rays (2024), Toronto Blue Jays (2025), and New York Mets (2025), he holds a career record of 5-13 with a 5.35 ERA, three saves, and 102 strikeouts in 111 innings.
Last season, Lovelady pitched 11.2 innings for the Blue Jays and Mets, striking out 12 batters while posting a 6.30 ERA in eight relief appearances for New York. Despite recent challenges, including being designated for assignment four times by the Mets after signing with them on June 23, 2025—he was their first offseason acquisition on October 23, 2025, before another DFA on January 22—Lovelady has shown situational effectiveness. Over the past five seasons, he ranks among 14 left-handed relievers with at least three saves and 15 holds, while limiting inherited runners to score at a rate below 27 percent. Since 2021, he has allowed just 14 of 52 inherited runners to score (26.9 percent).
In the minors, Lovelady has a strong track record, going 12-12 with a 2.43 ERA and 303 strikeouts over 270 innings in 205 appearances. Originally a 10th-round pick by the Royals in the 2016 draft, he posted a 1.66 ERA last season in 35 Triple-A outings (one start) split between Toronto and New York affiliates.
The Nationals, who announced the transaction via President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni, now have a 40-man roster at full capacity. This marks the second claim from the Mets organization this week, following shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng on Wednesday. Gasper, claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on January 20, becomes the corresponding roster casualty.
