The Nationals have designated former Blue Jays lefty Richard Lovelady for assignment, just hours before free agency opens Monday.

Washington needed the 40-man spot after acquiring infielder Nate Furman from the Giants. Minor league lefty Tony Neubeck went to San Francisco in the deal.

Lovelady's 2026 never got going. He opened the year with the Mets, was traded to Washington for cash, then suffered a left triceps strain in June that ended his season.

Now he has a choice. He can accept an outright assignment or elect free agency.

Toronto fans may remember his short, rough stay. The Jays signed him to a minor league deal in January 2025, and he made the Opening Day roster.

It didn't last. He allowed four runs over 1.2 innings across two appearances before being designated for assignment.

Richard Lovelady's DFA highlights the Blue Jays' lefty search

After rejecting an outright assignment, he moved on to the Twins and Mets organizations later that year.

He's pitched parts of seven big-league seasons. Originally a 10th-round pick of the Royals in 2016, he's also passed through the Braves, Athletics, Cubs and Rays.

Should Toronto take another look? No.

The Jays need lefty relief badly, but not like this. A reliever coming off a season-ending triceps strain, with a short leash nearly everywhere he's been, isn't the answer.

Bringing him back would be like rereading a book you didn't enjoy the first time. The ending isn't going to change.

Toronto's lefty pool is thin behind Mason Fluharty. Free-agent options like A.J. Minter, Brock Burke and Ryan Yarbrough make far more sense.

The timing of the move is telling. Teams across baseball are clearing roster space for a rush of signings before a likely lockout on Dec. 1.

Blake Butera's Nationals made room for a new piece. For Lovelady, the next stop is likely another minor league deal, and for the Jays, the lefty hunt continues elsewhere.