The Atlanta Braves have received positive news regarding the health of their pitcher Reynaldo López. Following an MRI on López’s forearm, manager Brian Snitker confirmed that the results were clear, and López will not be placed on the injured list. There is a possibility that López will be able to make his next start without any issues.
López left his recent outing against the New York Mets after three innings due to forearm tightness, as announced by the team. The Braves stated that López’s removal from the game was a precautionary measure, and he is currently listed as day-to-day.
Forearm tightness can sometimes indicate elbow ligament problems, potentially leading to Tommy John surgery. However, the Braves signed López as a starter for the current season after he served as a reliever in the previous years. With his significant innings increase compared to last season, the team values López’s contribution to the rotation.
Since transitioning back to a starting role, López has excelled with an impressive 2.06 ERA in over 100 innings, earning him his first All-Star Game selection. Losing López to injury would have been a major setback for the Braves, who are already facing pitching depth challenges.
Currently, the Braves’ rotation depth is as follows:
RHP Spencer Strider(out for 2024 with elbow surgery)LHP Max Fried(out with forearm neuritis)- LHP Chris Sale
- RHP Charlie Morton
- RHP Reynaldo López (day-to-day with forearm tightness)
RHP Hurston Waldrep(out with elbow inflammation)- RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
- RHP Bryce Elder
- RHP AJ Smith-Shawver
- RHP Allan Winans
Although Fried is expected to return soon, the Braves will need to find a spot starter in the meantime. Grant Holmes, a veteran pitcher, will make his first start for the team on Monday after serving as a long reliever recently.
With a 56-48 record and holding a two-game lead for a wild-card spot, the Braves continue to navigate through injuries to key players like Albies and Acuña. Despite the challenges, the team remains competitive and looks to maintain their position in the playoff race.
The car was driven by John.