Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez's (shoulder) MRI exam came back clean for any structural damage, and he's just dealing with inflammation, according to manager Brian Snitker. The Braves will let Lopez take a few days off before starting a throwing program. His progress in the throwing program will determine when he can return from the 15-day injured list. Atlanta is hoping the 30-year-old can return once his 15-day stint on the IL is up, but even if that comes to pass, there's a good chance that the Braves have him return in a relief role. Lopez was excellent for the Braves in the first half on his way to making his first All-Star team, but he's slowed down in the second half and has gone over 100 innings pitched in 2024 in a return to a full-time starting role for the first time since 2019. Having him healthy for a potential playoff run has to be Atlanta's top priority right now.
The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation and recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from the minors in a corresponding move. The team also designated right-hander Jimmy Herget for assignment. Lopez was forced to leave his start early on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, and initial tests on his shoulder looked good, but further imaging showed inflammation, and he will now miss at least the next two weeks. It's been an excellent year for the 30-year-old right-hander but the elevated workload as a starter for the first time since 2019 appears to have caught up with him. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can drop Lopez now, and it's more likely than not that Lopez will return in a relief role if the Braves secure one of the final wild-card spots in the National League.
The Atlanta Braves were forced to pull right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) from his start early on Tuesday night against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park due to right-shoulder tightness. Lopez only made it through one inning and gave up one hit in a scoreless frame while walking none and striking out one before giving way to veteran reliever Jesse Chavez. The Braves were quick to give the 30-year-old the hook when they noticed his velocity was down right from the beginning. Lopez has been great in a move to a full-time starting role in his first year in Atlanta in 2024, but he's gone over 100 innings in the big leagues for the first time since 2019, and it appears his elevated workload could finally be catching up to him. At this point, depending on the severity of his shoulder injury, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves play it safe and move him to the bullpen as they battle for a playoff spot.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was fantastic in defeat on Thursday, striking out 11 over six two-run frames in a tough 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Lopez allowed just five hits and didn't walk a batter in this one. The 30-year-old is having the best season of his career, pitching to a 2.04 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 136 strikeouts over 127 IP. His consistency has been spectacular, as he has allowed over three runs in a start just once all season, and in that start he allowed four. Fantasy managers should start Lopez without worry for the few starts he has left, but before that they should thank their lucky stars they got him off waivers.
Reynaldo Lopez Fans 10 In Tuesday's Return From Injured List
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) pitched well in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Phillies. Lopez, who had been on the injured list for the last three weeks with right forearm inflammation, pitched five innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts on 90 pitches. It was encouraging to see the 30-year-old pick up right where he left before getting hurt. He now owns a 7-4 record with a 2.05 ERA, a 9.19 K/9 rate, and a 3.12 BB/9 rate in 20 starts and 109 2/3 IP. He will draw a favorable matchup in his next start against the Nationals.
Reynaldo Lopez Reinstated From Injured List, Will Start On Tuesday
The Atlanta Braves reinstated right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Jimmy Herget to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Lopez will make his return and start in the series opener on Tuesday versus the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. The 30-year-old first-time All-Star in 2024 has missed the last three weeks with inflammation in his right forearm, so he's going to be a pretty shaky fantasy play in his first start back against one of the best teams in baseball. In his lone minor-league rehab start, Lopez got up to 71 pitches and four innings of work, so he'll almost certainly be limited from a pitch-count perspective. The Dominican hurler has an ERA just above 2.00 for the year with 102 K's in 104 2/3 innings, but he's in line for some workload restrictions to close out the year.
Reynaldo Lopez Lining Up To Return Early Next Week
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said on Wednesday that the team will work starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (elbow) back into the rotation early next week when they come off their current road trip, and the hurler isn't expected to make another rehab start. With that said, it sounds like Lopez is lining up to start Tuesday's series opener for a showdown against the first-place Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. After throwing 71 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Lopez is on the cusp of rejoining Atlanta's rotation, and his next appearance is slated to come with the major-league roster. The 30-year-old first-time All-Star is recovering from right elbow inflammation, and he is 7-4 this season with a 2.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 102:37 K:BB over 104 2/3 innings for the Braves.
Atlanta Braves All-Star right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is scheduled to begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday and make a start with Triple-A Gwinnett. Lopez is expected to rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation after his rehab start on Tuesday, barring a setback with his right forearm. The 30-year-old's next start in the big leagues could come as early as this Sunday on the road in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels in what would be a great matchup, although he'd still be a bit more risky for fantasy purposes after leaving his last start on July 28 due to right-forearm inflammation. The Dominican hurler made his first All-Star team in 2024 in his return to a starting role for the first time since 2019, but he could be running out of steam in the second half and is also in danger of having his innings monitored down the stretch.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) resumed playing catch on Tuesday, a day after landing on the 15-day injured list with right-forearm tightness that caused him to leave his last start on July 28. The Braves were initially hoping that Lopez wouldn't need to go on the IL, so there's a chance he could be reinstated as soon as he's eligible to return on Aug. 17. If anything, it will give the Braves a shot to limit the 30-year-old Dominican's innings, as he's already over 100 innings pitched in 2024 for the first time since 2019, when he was starting for the Chicago White Sox. Before his shortened start on July 28, Lopez had allowed seven earned runs in 12 innings over his previous two starts. Lopez was great for fantasy managers in the first half, but the first-time All-Star could be seeing signs of exhaustion as we near the end of the year.
The Atlanta Braves placed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to right forearm inflammation. Lopez hasn't pitched since July 28, when he was removed early from his start against the New York Mets. The Braves expressed optimism that the right-hander would not need to go on the IL, but it appears the 30-year-old is still expressing some soreness. So, he will miss at least 15 days while he nurses his forearm injury. Fantasy managers who own Lopez should stash him in one of their IL slots. He owns a 2.06 ERA and 102 strikeouts across 104 2/3 innings pitched this season.
