Blue Jays’ Richard Lovelady sent to triple-A after clearing waivers

Another veteran reliever has passed through waivers for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Left-hander Richard Lovelady has been outrighted to triple-A Buffalo after clearing waivers, the club announced via its transaction log on Thursday. The 29-year-old was designated for assignment on March 30 after making just two relief appearances for the organization.

Lovelady made the club’s Opening Day roster out of spring training despite posting suboptimal results in camp, as the southpaw surrendered seven runs (six earned) on nine hits — including three home runs — and a trio of walks across eight outings. But he still managed to strike out eight over 8.1 innings, and with injuries to Erik Swanson and Ryan Burr, he earned a bullpen spot as the team returned to Toronto.

At least, he did temporarily.

The Hinesville, Georgia, native struggled mightily during his final appearance with the Blue Jays before landing on waivers, with the Baltimore Orioles tagging him for four runs (all earned) on two hits and a walk in his one inning of work as part of a 9-5 loss on March 29.

That game, of course, was started by future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, who departed after only three innings due to right lat soreness — an injury later revealed as a symptom caused by pitching through the nerve issue in his right thumb. Lovelady was the first of five relievers to enter out of the bullpen in that contest.

One day later, with the Blue Jays in desperate need of fresh arms, they recalled Easton Lucas and selected the contract of fellow lefty Mason Fluharty from triple-A. In corresponding moves, Scherzer landed on the 15-day IL (right thumb inflammation) while Lovelady was designated for assignment.

The former Tampa Bay Ray — who made 28 appearances with the club last season — joined Toronto on a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training over the off-season.