The Atlanta Braves are fighting to win the National League East, but just lost Reynaldo López to a shoulder injury.
López was an All-Star in 2024, but has not been able to live up to high expectations ever since. He pitched in just one game last year and has a 4.54 ERA in 26 games this year. He has made 13 starts and was chased after just three innings on Monday. After the game, manager Walt Weiss revealed he was dealing with a shoulder injury and would go on the 15-day injured list.
“He said he's had some good days and bad days throughout the year,” Weiss said, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman. “Sometimes he hasn't felt it at all, and then sometimes he does. So we’ve got to change course here.”
López was not likely to factor into the postseason rotation, but he is a veteran pitcher who could have been called upon in October. He has the ability to give the team length in the case of a short start from one of their starters in a postseason game. However, now his status is up in the air.
“Luckily we have options,” Weiss said. “We have guys stretched out. We have some guys we can go to.”
JR Ritchie will reportedly start on Wednesday, with López going on the injured list. AJ Smith-Shawver covered five innings, allowing just two runs, after López left early on Monday. He is an option to start games in the final stretch as well.
Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez are expected to lead the Braves rotation in October. However, Smith-Shaver and López are certainly options to start games depending on how things play out. However, López may suddenly be less likely to take the ball in October.