Mets bring back lefty reliever Richard Lovelady to one-year contract

The Mets are securing their own wanted inventory ahead of the deadline to set 40-man rosters.

On Thursday, the team signed lefty reliever Richard Lovelady to a one-year major league contract.

Lovelady pitched to an 8.49 ERA last season in 10 appearances, eight of which were for the Mets.

He also appeared in two games for the Blue Jays.

Lovelady became an option for the club this season after lefties A.J. Minter and Danny Young were lost to season-ending surgeries.

Brooks Raley served as the Mets’ primary lefty option from the bullpen.

Lovelady was the source of a humorous episode upon his arrival in June; a miscommunication led to the Mets referring to him as “Dicky” in a press release.

Lovelady clarified that he preferred to be listed publicly as “Richard,” but could be referred to informally in the clubhouse as Dicky.