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Former Blue Jays Reliever Makes Next Career Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 5:51 PM ET

If former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Richard Lovelady makes it back to a big-league mound this summer, we don't expect he'll do so in a Minnesota Twins uniform.

FanSided's Robert Murray reported on Wednesday afternoon that Lovelady exercised the June 15 opt-out clause in his minor-league contract. The 29-year-old recorded a 1.31 ERA, six saves, and a 22-7 K-BB ratio in 20 2/3 innings at Triple-A St. Paul.

Lovelady is now a free agent, and we expect at least one team to hone in on a veteran pitcher with extensive major-league experience.

Murray called it a "surprise" that the Twins never promoted Lovelady. Minnesota entered Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at 36-36 and a game back in the AL Wild Card standings.

Hitting the open road is nothing new for Lovelady, who has pitched for five MLB teams since his 2019 debut with the Kansas City Royals. Lovelady allowed four runs and two walks in 1 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays earlier this year.

Lovelady owns a 5.26 ERA in 101 career innings for the Royals, Blue Jays, Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays. We'll see if the Rays bring Lovelady back after he posted a 3.77 ERA in 28 2/3 innings last season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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