Completely forgotten member of the 2024 Cubs opts out of his deal with the Twins

In the Chicago Cubs' never-ending merry-go-round of bullpen-building, there have been too many names to count to don the pinstripes at Wrigley Field since Jed Hoyer took over baseball operations after the 2020 season.

One such name fans have surely forgotten? Richard Lovelady, who is back in the news this week after opting out of his minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins.

The 29-year-old had been nails at Triple-A since signing with the organization back in April. He's pitched 20 2/3 innings, punching out 22 and working to a 1.31 ERA, to go along with solid ground ball rate numbers. It's hard to imagine another team in need of in-season bullpen help won't give Lovelady a chance given his strong numbers this year the the highest level of the minors.

Lovelady made seven appearances with the Cubs in late April and early May before getting traded to Tampa Bay on May 18. In those seven outings, the southpaw struggled, posting a WHIP just shy of 2.000, bloated by an unsightly 14.3 H/9 mark. But, as is so often the case with pitchers, once he joined the Rays, he turned things around, making 27 appearances and working to a 3.77 ERA and 3.83 FIP.

He opened the 2025 campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays but was designated for assignment after just two appearances. From there, he latched on with Minnesota - with that stint ending this week.

Cubs' bullpen has been wildly impressive so far this season

Thankfully for the Cubs, the bullpen has been one of the team's biggest strengths this season, so much so that it's actually difficult to figure out who will lose a roster spot when Porter Hodge returns from his minor-league rehab assignment this month. That's a testament to the job Hoyer and the front office has done in assembling pitching depth, hitting on a number of low-profile signings that have paid off tenfold in the early-going.

Brad Keller (2.10 ERA, 32 app.), Caleb Thielbar (1.69 ERA, 31 app.), Chris Flexen (0.00 ERA, 11 app.) and Drew Pomeranz (0.00 ERA, 20 app.) have been as lockdown as they come in the Chicago pen and their successes have allowed the Cubs to weather injuries to guys like Hodge, who was widely viewed as one of the team's top relievers heading into the season.

Once he signs with his next team, Lovelady will have quite the Immaculate Grid resume, already having pitched for Chicago, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Oakland and Kansas City. Here's to wishing him all the best.