Cubs Sign Lefty Richard Lovelady to Minor-League Deal

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their bullpen depth by signing left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady to a minor-league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. This move is another example of the Cubs taking calculated risks on players seeking resurgence.

The 28-year-old had a challenging start to his career followed by an impressive stint in 2021 when he posted a 3.48 ERA over 20.2 innings. However, his career was derailed by a UCL sprain that led to Tommy John surgery, costing him the entire 2022 season. His comeback effort in 2023 with the Oakland Athletics was cut short by a pronator strain in his forearm, resulting in another trip to the injured list.

Despite these setbacks, Lovelady's recent bullpen session at Driveline Baseball's training facility displays promising signs of health and readiness for the 2024 season. This could play well for the Cubs, who are actively seeking to enhance their left-handed bullpen options, an area in which they're incredibly limited.