The Athletics announced that they have claimed left-hander Richard Lovelady off waivers from the Braves and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, right-hander Freddy Tarnok was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
There had been no public indication that Atlanta had made any kind of roster move with Lovelady, but they evidently tried to pass him through waivers at some point in recent days. Since the A’s swooped in to grab him, Atlanta’s 40-man count will drop to 39 as they also lose a bit of optionable bullpen depth. They liked the lefty enough to acquire him just a couple weeks ago by sending cash considerations to Kansas City but will now see him move out west.
For the A’s, they are adding an intriguing southpaw arm to the roster. Lovelady, 27, struggled in his first major league action but seemed to take a step forward in 2021. He posted a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances for the Royals, striking out 27.4% of batters faced with a 7.1% walk rate and 56.6% ground ball rate. Unfortunately, he required Tommy John surgery in September of that year. The Royals then non-tendered him but re-signed him on a minor league deal.
He returned to health and made a couple of minor league appearances late last year, which encouraged the Royals enough to add him back to their roster in November to prevent him from reaching minor league free agency. But when faced with a roster crunch around Opening Day, they flipped Lovelady to Atlanta for cash. He’s made four appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett this year with a 7.20 ERA in that small sample.
Lovelady is in his final option year, which will mean the A’s can potentially keep him stashed in the minors for the rest of the year, though it’s possible he gets back to the majors by performing well or simply due to the club needing a fresh arm. The rebuilding club has a bullpen that’s light on experience and also light on lefties, with Sam Moll the only southpaw currently in the big league bullpen.
As for Tarnok, he was acquired from Atlanta in the Sean Murphy trade this winter but began the season on the injured list due to a strained right shoulder. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out of action but he’ll now be ineligible to return until 60 days from his initial IL placement, which would be late May.
Claimed by the Athletics. Poor guy,
His name is Dick Lovelady. Where he plays ball is probably the least of his concerns.
With a name like that, he’ll always have a backup job if baseball doesn’t work out.
From one Dick to another though, I wish him the best out in Oakland.
They even did him a favor by sending him to Las Vegas to allow him to resume his nightjob at Chippendale’s.
If he can survive middle school with that name, he could survive psychological tourture by the CIA.
Hide your wives around this guy!
This is actually a pretty good acquisition. He’s been inconsistent, but if you’ve ever seen his stuff, it’s decent. May be one of those guys that just needs to team up with the right pitching coach.
Trevor May has apparently forgotten how to pitch, hopefully he will replace him. Also the A’s only had 1 lefty reliever, they need one more.
Shintaro to the bullpen when? I bet he’s nasty when in relief. Doesn’t look great as a strarter.
Of course he’s a lefty … and another guy who wishes his grandfather would have shot blanks.
The Braves are opening a spot on the 40-man. This must mean they’re trading for Bryan Reynolds.
Phart joke pending.
If you don’t love your lady enough, she will get claimed by someone else.
But not on waivers…
Dick Lovelady is an all time baseball name.
Right up there with former Bosox pitcher Dick Pole.
And let’s not forget Chick Manlove.
I hope that the A’s have plans for a Dick Lovelady Bobblehead night this year.
Hopefully we get to see Dick lovelady and Dick Mountain on the same team.
My name is Dick and I Lovelady.
Whomever started that joke I gotta tip my hat!!!
Leave your tip outta this, you’re just throwing fuel on the fire…
“Lovelady” reminds me of a Barry White song.