Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (hip) is set to return to the mound during Friday's spring training contest against the Miami Marlins. Lopez has been sidelined for about 10 days due to a lingering left hip issue. He appears to be over the issue, so he shouldn't require a stint on the injured list. Barring any setbacks, Lopez should serve as the primary setup option in Washington behind Kyle Finnegan. That being said, Lopez probably won't have fantasy value right away in Washington, but is someone to keep an eye on in case Finnegan gets injured, traded, or regresses and gets pulled from the role.
Jorge Lopez, Jose Ferrer To See Save Opportunities
Washington Nationals relief pitchers Jorge Lopez and Jose A. Ferrer are likely to see most of the save opportunities at the start of the 2025 campaign. When asked who would close games, manager Dave Martinez mentioned both pitchers and that the team would "play matchups." With Lopez being a right-hander and Ferrer being a left-hander, Lopez could see the slight edge in opportunities, especially if matchups are heavily emphasized. Throughout his career, Lopez has tallied 31 saves. He tallied 23 of them during the 2022 campaign, where he spent time in Baltimore and Minnesota. Last season, he held a solid 2.89 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He is dealing with a groin injury but was able to face live batters earlier this week. Ferrer tallied his first career MLB save last season but did have opportunities to close games in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during spring training. Given his experience, Lopez will likely see a slight edge in opportunities.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (groin) faced live batters during Monday's practice session. This is a great sign, as Lopez ended the 2024 campaign on the injured list with a right groin strain. Seeing him face live hitters early in practice suggests he is past this injury and is viewed as a full-go. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Last season, the 32-year-old opened the 2024 campaign with the New York Mets and logged 26 1/3 innings before being released. He was then picked up by the Cubs, where he held a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings. With Kyle Finnegan no longer on the roster, fantasy managers should expect Lopez to compete for the closer role during spring training.
It's unclear who the Washington Nationals plan on using for the majority of their save situations in 2025, but right-hander Jorge Lopez is currently the only reliever on the roster with any real closing experience. The 32-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $3 million deal in January after posting a solid 2.89 ERA, 50 strikeouts and four saves in 52 relief appearances for the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2024. Twenty-three of his 31 career MLB saves came in his All-Star season in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins. He has only saved seven games in 12 opportunities with a 4.50 ERA the last two seasons. If the Nats roll with a closer committee, Derek Law (13 career saves) and lefty Jose A. Ferrer could be used in tandem with Lopez. Ferrer has been used as a lefty specialist but also possesses a triple-digit fastball and 98 mph sinker.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent relief pitcher Jorge Lopez has signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Washington Nationals. Lopez began his 2024 campaign with the New York Mets but was eventually cut after 26 innings. He then finished his campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he logged a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters during this stint and only allowed eight free passes. The right-hander generated a solid .220 xBA and a .3.59 xERA, placing him in the 76th and 68th percentile, respectively. With Kyle Finnegan still on the free agent market, the Nationals lack a proven ninth-inning option. If Lopez performs well early on, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role in this bullpen.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (groin) was activated from the injured list on Wednesday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since the beginning of September and should return to a high-leverage role in the Cubs bullpen. Before the injury, Lopez carried a strong 2.42 ERA and 1.21 WHIP since the beginning of July and tallied two saves in August. However, while he was sidelined, Porter Hodge emerged as the ninth-inning option in the Northside and has tallied four saves since August 20. Fantasy managers looking to bolster their save count should look to add Lopez this weekend, as he could be in the mix for ninth-inning duties across the final week of the regular season.
Jorge Lopez Expected To Be Activated In A Couple Days
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez (groin) has rejoined the team and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran hurler is recovered from a strained right groin and will rejoin Chicago's bullpen this week. There isn't much time left in the 2024 regular season, but the Puerto Rican pitcher could be in the mix for saves for the Cubbies down the stretch. Lopez has posted a solid 3.00 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, four saves, 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 51 combined innings this year with the Cubs and New York Mets. He's been even better with Chicago, posting a 2.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and two saves in 24 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers still fighting for a title and in need of saves might want to look to Lopez if he's available.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (groin) could return to Chicago's bullpen this weekend, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury since Aug. 23 but recently completed a bullpen that went well. The 31-year-old has been fantasy relevant in his stint with Chicago, pitching to a 0.79 ERA in 22 2/3 innings. His return will be very welcomed by both fantasy managers and Cubs fans alike. Although Chicago is likely out of the National League Central race, they're five games back of a wild-card spot, and a reliable arm like Lopez will help their outside chances. Fantasy managers that have been holding Lopez out of their lineups need to ensure he's back in as soon as he's announced on the active roster. With Chicago's next five games against the subpar offenses of the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates, Lopez will likely be used often when Chicago has a lead.
Jorge Lopez Earns First Save For Chicago Cubs Saturday
Veteran reliever Jorge Lopez earned his first save for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, preserving a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cubs signed Lopez after he was released by the New York Mets last month, and he has been one of their best arms out of the bullpen since that move. The veteran now has a win and a save in his last 15 appearances, sporting a .53 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 17 innings over that time. With Hector Neris struggling in the closer role and having blown a save on Friday, perhaps Lopez gets more opportunities to save games moving forward for the 61-63 Cubs, who are fighting for their playoff lives in the National League Central.
The New York Mets designated right-hander Jorge Lopez for assignment on Thursday and recalled left-hander Danny Young from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Lopez's actions after being ejected from Wednesday's game, rather than his performance on the mound, have cost him a spot on the team's 40-man roster. The 31-year-old veteran threw his glove into the crowd after his ejection on Wednesday in the loss to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The nine-year veteran had been decent out of the bullpen for the Mets this year, posting a 3.76 ERA (4.65 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP, two saves, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 26 1/3 relief innings. An All-Star as recently as 2022 with the Orioles and Twins, Lopez should draw some attention on waivers in the next couple of days with 29 career saves.
Jorge López
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Nationals
