Mets Trade Lovelady, Bullpen Struggles Continue

0:00It's April 17th, Moby News. Today starts now, AI-powered and game-ready. I'm Cory with the story. The New York Mets just shipped a reliever Richard Love Lady back to the Washington Nationals for some cash considerations. This 30-year-old lefty first got claimed off waivers from the Nats back in March, but the Mets designated him for a Simon last week to clear. Space for Craig Kimbrill. Love Lady's been on a wild ride with the Mets, signing with them last June 23rd, only to get DFA two days later, then brought back quick. He's been cut five times total by New York, pitching in 14 games over two seasons with shaky results, like a 6.30 ERA last year, and a 3.68 this season. Fans are scratching their heads at the Mets bullpen shuffle, especially after DFA'ing Luis Garcia too. Love Lady's got a knack for ground balls at 54.5%, but he walks too many guys and lacks strikeouts, making him a risky arm in a pin that's cracking under pressure.

1:01Meanwhile, the National Slide Love Lady in for Ken Waldechuk, who's headed for Tommy John's surgery after landing on the 60-day injured list. For the Mets, it's part of Bigger Wows, with Devon Williams coughing up a grand slam last night, and Luke Weaver's ERA hitting 8.10. The Mets are mired in an 8-game skid, offense gone cold without Wansoto, and the bullpen's showing fatigue from too few leads to protect. They got to spark that lineup soon, to steady the ship before this rough patch turns brutal.