TODAY: The Braves officially announced Lopez’s reinstatement from the 15-day IL. Right-hander John Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
SEPTEMBER 27: Reynaldo López will take the ball for the Braves tomorrow against the Royals, the team informed reporters (X link via Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). He’ll be reinstated from the 15-day injured list before the game. Atlanta will need to option a pitcher to open a spot on the MLB roster.
Atlanta has been without López for a couple weeks because of shoulder inflammation. That was the righty’s second IL stint in as many months. He also missed a couple weeks in August with a minor forearm issue. It’s not especially surprising that he’s battled some injuries down the stretch. López has taken on a significant workload jump in his return to the rotation. He has thrown 128 2/3 innings on the season, nearly doubling last year’s total of 66 frames while working out of the bullpen.
Aside from the injuries, the López signing couldn’t have worked out much better in year one. He has turned in a sparkling 2.03 earned run average. Among pitchers with 100+ innings, only rookie phenom Paul Skenes (1.99) has a lower ERA. While López’s peripherals aren’t quite that dominant, his 26.3% strikeout percentage and 8.1% walk rate are solid or better. If healthy, he’d slot behind likely NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale and Max Fried in a potential playoff rotation. Spencer Schwellenbach has had a fantastic rookie campaign and would be an excellent #4 option.
Of course, the Braves still have work to do if they’re to get into the postseason. They beat the Royals on Friday night to pull to 87-71. The Mets lost in Milwaukee, so the division rivals are tied with four games apiece to play. They have a doubleheader set for Monday. Splitting those would ensure the Braves have the tiebreaker. Both clubs are a half-game back of fifth seed Arizona pending the Diamondbacks’ result tonight.
Whoa Mama!
– Steve Urkel
2014 Giants and royals had the playoff games as wild card winners and went to the World Series. Colorado won something like 29/30 games to advance but ran out of steam. I pull for Milwaukee so Braves get in tough to root for
Mr Fried will probably be a Dodger unfortunately. However, I wish him all the very best, a magnificent pitcher and a magnificent person.
If Glasnow got 136.5 million over 5, Max is worth more.than that.
While I think there is a misconception that Fried is not durable (I mean compare him to Glasnow) the Dodgers really need to anchor that rotation with a guy with very minimal health questions. Burns makes sense to me. I agree Fried is very possible (likely?) tho.
Are the Dodgers going to shell out the $220+ for Burnes? That’s a damn expensive rotation already. I think with the return of Ohtani they’ll shop in a cheaper aisle. I think they’ll grab 2 starters
I merely meant he makes sense in terms of what they need most and them being such big spenders. I don’t mean to imply they are likely to go after him. I don’t know personally. With the offensive core they have they would be capable of winning it all with a bunch of mid rotation arms and a deep bullpen. I also tend to forget they have that Ohtani guy and he pitches (sometimes)
I think the Dodgers investment in an expensive arm over the winter depends in large part on the status of Glasnow. If Glas does not need surgery, a top 3 of Ohtani, Glasnow, Yamamoto (and a solid 4th in Stone) likely means no huge pitching investment. They will spend big if Glas is on the shelf in 2025.
“if glas(s) is on the shelf in 2025”. Bank on it. But I know what you meant
Ok Dr Rishi.
I mean at some point. Who wouldn’t predict that? Glasnow knows Glasnow is going on the IL next season. Dr Rishi has a nice ring to it. I might have to change my name.
“going on the IL at some point” is a far cry from season ending surgery was my point. we all know Glasnow’s history. As a Dodger fan I’m simply hoping his current elbow issue will heal without surgery. But surgery would not surprise me.
I was just making a joke about the way it sounded. That’s why I said “I know what you meant”.
Im believing the Mets and Braves make the playoffs. Arizona looks lost right now and I see them getting swept by the Padres. That Mets/Braves doubleheader Monday might not even be needed.
The thing about all these 3 series now is the other team has clinched so there is no reason to push it. Royals likely partied most of the night. The teams probably will rest some of their guys since they are all playing in the first round. I imagine Royals are gonna skip Ragans start Sunday and can’t imagine Lugo going very deep. They do need some momentum tho.
Da Da Da Da, Da Da Da Da Da Da da. Push it. Push it real good
It’s morning in America for Ragans
So long Max Fried!…great game to go out as a Braves, you will be missed!
And Dylan Cease
What about Danks?
I like Max Fried believe he should retire a Brave, I strongly believe he should be resigned. Is he asking for too much or is the term too long. Personally, I would have no problem with a 5 year and a mutual option for the sixth year.
Braves don’t seem like the kind of team to spend big money on long term pitching (not counting Strider because his long term deal is for relative peanuts). Very few big time pitching deals work out. Wheeler has. Gerrit Cole might work out, but for every Cole there’s a Rodon and a (so far) deGrom. Teams were reluctant to spend on Snell last year and he was the reigning Cy Young winner. Maybe they get creative and so a 3 or 4 year deal with a high AAV.
Max Fried should retire a Brave. I know he wants to stay, someone tell me the problem.
Oh course he would like to stay, but he knows Atlanta wont dish out what he can get from LA. It’s about money.
That is sad to me, I may be a weird bird, but if I’m comfortable someplace and I get a competitive offer I’m telling the players association and anyone else this is what I want. How much money does a person need anyway.
@olereb: Fried’s the Braves Player’s Union rep. He’s likely to toe the party line and go for the most money. The reps often mention advancing salaries as part of their responsibility to the union when they’re interviewed.
the ex cubs factor is now the ex sox factor.
Jeff, did not think about that, he will go for the most money. One of the reasons I liked Chipper so much, he could have received more money, he was comfortable being a Brave. They don’t make many like that.