Braves right-hander Reynaldo López was faraway from at present’s begin after simply three innings and the membership introduced that the transfer was on account of proper forearm tightness. He’s headed to Atlanta for an MRI, per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Structure on X. Although Atlanta characterised it as precautionary and described the righty as day-to-day, it could possibly be a notable growth given the encompassing circumstances of the membership.
López principally labored as a reliever from 2021 to 2023, however Atlanta moved him again to a beginning position this 12 months, an experiment that has gone extremely effectively to this point. The righty got here into at present with an earned run common of two.12 in 101 2/3 innings. There’s definitely a little bit of luck in there, as stranding 85.6% of baserunners isn’t sustainable in the long run, however his 8.7% stroll charge is near common and his 24.2% strikeout charge is sort of robust. His 3.17 FIP and 4.00 SIERA level to stable outcomes even with a bit much less luck by way of stranding runners.
Dropping that type of efficiency for even a brief period of time can be lower than best for Atlanta. The membership has been sliding within the standings currently and is effectively again of the Phillies within the Nationwide League East. Within the Wild Card image, there are 9 groups battling for 3 spots, inside eight video games of one another. Atlanta is atop that heap, however solely barely.
Their rotation challenges started early on and have mounted because the season has progressed. Spencer Strider required UCL surgical procedure in April and is out for the 12 months. Max Fried, Huascar Ynoa and Hurston Waldrep are additionally on the IL on account of arm points.
Fried and Waldrep may every be coming off the IL within the coming weeks, however it might be lower than best for López to overlook any time. If he had been out of the image, the rotation core can be right down to Chris Sale and Charlie Morton, no less than till one of many injured guys is ready to return. Sale is having an amazing 12 months however is hardly a certain factor, as he’s 35 years previous and missed many of the earlier 4 seasons on account of harm. Morton has a satisfactory 4.16 ERA however is 40 years previous and his strikeout charge has declined for a fourth straight season. Spencer Schwellenbach has been good however has simply ten MLB begins to his identify to this point. Reliever Grant Holmes is listed as tomorrow’s starter.
All instructed, the Atlanta rotation has loads of query marks in it proper now, which may maybe influence Atlanta’s habits within the coming days. The commerce deadline is 5pm Central on Tuesday, giving the membership a little bit of time to determine how aggressively to pursue beginning pitching upgrades. The market may options influence names like Garrett Crochet, Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal, in addition to guys like Erick Fedde, Yusei Kikuchi, Cal Quantrill and lots of extra.
The membership additionally is likely to be on the lookout for assist at second base and the outfield as a result of accidents to Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II, however the aggressive steadiness tax may influence their strategy. RosterResource pegs their CBT quantity at $273MM, just under the third threshold of $277MM. Going over that line wouldn’t solely result in the next charge of taxation however would additionally see their high decide within the 2025 draft pushed again ten spots.
On high of this season, there’s the fear of a long-term absence. At this level, there’s been nothing to counsel the worst-case state of affairs is on the desk for López, however an harm to a pitcher’s throwing elbow/forearm will all the time lead to a point of fear.
At this level within the 12 months, a major surgical procedure may put the 2025 season in jeopardy for López. Atlanta is about to lose each Fried and Morton to free company, with the latter additionally a candidate to retire. López is within the first season of a three-year deal and will surely be a part of the 2025 rotation combine so long as he’s wholesome. If not, it might principally include a 36-year-old Sale, adopted by pretty unproven guys like Schwellenbach, Waldrep and others.
