After a pair of injuries this week, the Washington Nationals are bringing back a familiar name to address the 2026 pitching staff
After watching a pair of pitchers go down earlier this week, the Washington Nationals are bringing back a familiar name to help become part of the solution ahead.
The Nationals announced on Thursday morning that the team has agreed to a trade with the New York Mets to acquire left handed pitcher Richard Lovelady in exchange for cash considerations.
The former Mets pitcher has made six appearances so far this season where he's allowed three total runs across 7.1 innings, tossing six strikeouts and allowing eight hits along the way. He joins the organization with a 3.68 ERA and a chance to bolster the bullpen.
After three seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Lovelady previously had one year stints with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets prior to arriving in DC.
The move came after the Nationals saw both Cole Henry and Ken Waldichuk go down earlier in the week with fear of a long term injury for Waldichuk.
Initially placed on the 15 day injured list, the Nationals announced on Thursday that Waldichuk has since been transferred to the 60 day injured list after he was feared to require Tommy John surgery for what would be the second time in his career. Waldichuk is expected to seek another opinion prior to undergoing surgery.
“Yeah, there’s definitely some concern,” manager Blake Butera said after Sunday's win. “Any time somebody goes to their forearm and comes out of the game, it’s usually pretty scary. Before I say anything (else), I want to have some time to take a look at him and figure out what it is.”
The move will look to help an inconsistent and at times, lackluster, bullpen for the Nationals to open the 2026 season with pitching still under the microscope to begin the regular season.
The Nationals, sitting one game back from .500 overall, are set to close out the four game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon with first pitch set for 12:35 PM ET. While Lovelady will not be available for the series finale, free agent signing Foster Griffin will be as he is set to make his fourth start of the 2026 regular season.