The Atlanta Braves have activated Dominican starting pitcher from the injured list due to right shoulder discomfort. His return comes at a critical time for the Braves, who are looking to clinch the postseason.
Lopez will start against the Kansas City Royals, who clinched the last AL wild card position Friday. They have not advanced to the postseason since 2015. Last season, the Braves had the best record in MLB and made their sixth straight postseason berth. Now, the Braves hope to build on last season’s success and reach their eighth consecutive postseason appearance. After the Braves activated López, right-hander John Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves Activate All-Star Pitcher Amid Significant Postseason Push
The Impact López Provides Braves
López has been on the injured list twice this season. He first went on the IL on July 28th with a forearm issue and then again on September 10th, landing on the 15-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation. The 30-year-old holds an 8-5 record, boasting a 1.15 WHIP, 137 strikeouts, and a 2.03 ERA this season. As one of the Braves’ key starters, López’s return is crucial. With experience both as a starter and in the bullpen, his transition from a reliever to a starting role has enhanced his understanding of the game. This versatility makes him an even more valuable asset to the Braves, allowing him to excel in high-pressure situations.
The #Braves today reinstated RHP Reynaldo López from the injured list and optioned RHP John Brebbia to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 28, 2024
If López can keep the Royals’ offense in check and maintain a scoreless game, he could potentially lower his ERA below 2.00. Since he’s just back from the IL, his pitch count will likely be limited to four or five innings. Nonetheless, he’s fully capable of preventing any runs. In his first All-Star appearance this season, López delivered a scoreless performance, adding to his record of shutout outings. Earlier in the year, when asked about the key to his success, López credited his mentality, emphasizing the importance of mindset in addition to physical skills. Confidence plays a huge role in a player’s performance, as seen with Alek Manoah, whose mental struggles impacted his ability to replicate his 2022 Cy Young form.
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