Lovelady made his professional debut with the Arizona League Royals and was promoted to the Idaho Falls Chukars during the season;in 25 total relief innings pitched between both teams,he posted a 2-1 record,1.80 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP[3] In 2017,he spent time with both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals,pitching to a combined 4-2 record and 1.62 ERA in 66.2 total relief innings pitched.[4][5] Lovelady spent 2018 with the Omaha Storm Chasers,going 3-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 46 relief appearances.[6] In 2019,he opened the season with Omaha.
Lovelady was promoted to the majors for the first time on April 9,2019.[7] He made his major league debut against the Seattle Mariners that evening,recording two strikeouts in one inning of relief.[8] Lovelady made 1 appearance for the Royals in 2020,giving up one run over one inning pitched.[9]
In 20 appearances for the Royals in 2021,Lovelady recorded a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances for the team. On September 30,2021,Lovelady underwent Tommy John surgery,which wiped him out for the entire 2022 season. On November 30,2021,Lovelady was non-tendered by the Royals,making him a free agent.[10] He was re-signed by the Royals the next day on a minor league contract.
On November 10,2022,Lovelady was selected to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2023 season.[11]
Atlanta Braves
On March 30,2023,Lovelady was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash and was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.[12] He appeared in 4 games for Gwinnett,recording a 7.20 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched.
Oakland Athletics
On April 13,2023,Lovelady was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.[13] In 27 games for Oakland,he posted a 4.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 23+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 23, manager Mark Kotsay announced that Lovelady would not return in 2023 after suffering a strain of the pronator muscle in his left forearm.[14] On October 4, Lovelady was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators.[15] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[16]
Chicago Cubs
On January 31, 2024, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[17] After 10 appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, Lovelady was added to Chicago's major league roster on April 28.[18] In 7 appearances for Chicago, he struggled to a 7.94 ERA with 6 strikeouts across 5+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 14, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[19]
Tampa Bay Rays
On May 18, 2024, the Cubs traded Lovelady to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jeff Belge.[20] In 28 appearances for Tampa Bay, he compiled a 3–5 record and 3.77 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 2 saves over 28+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 19, Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Rays after Jake Mangum was added to the roster.[21] Three days later, the Rays non–tendered Lovelady, making him a free agent.[22]
Toronto Blue Jays
On January 22, 2025, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[23]
Personal life
Lovelady and his wife, Maddie, married in 2019.[24]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
