April 4, 2025
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder next Tuesday, according to manager Brian Snitker. The Braves will have a better idea on the extent of damage in Lopez's shoulder after the surgery. The 31-year-old veteran hurler has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, though, which means he'll be out until at least late May, but it's more likely that we won't see him again until the second half of the season. It's a big blow for the Braves and the veteran Dominican, but the good news for Atlanta's pitching staff is that
Spencer Strider (elbow) should make his 2025 debut later this month. In his return to a starting role in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta, Lopez was a first-time All-Star by going 8-5 with a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 148 K's and 42 walks in 135 2/3 innings. Expecting him to return to that form in the second half this year is probably asking a lot.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Justin Toscano
April 1, 2025
MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to determine if he has any structural damage after imaging only showed inflammation. A timetable for Lopez's return won't be known until after he has surgery, but he's expected to miss at least a couple of months. The Braves lost outfielder
Jurickson Profar to an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs on Monday and have now lost one of their best starters from a year ago for a few months. That's all on top of Atlanta starting off the year 0-5. Lopez was a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta with a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his return to a starting role for the first time since 2019, but the expanded workload has taken its toll.
Bryce Elder will start in Lopez's play on Wednesday against the Dodgers, but it won't be long before
Spencer Strider (elbow) makes his return to Atlanta's starting rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 31, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation on Monday, backdated to March 29th. In a corresponding move,
Bryce Elder was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Lopez gave up three runs on nine hits in his only start this season against the Padres. The 31-year-old had been seeing a decrease in velocity this Spring, suggesting the injury may have been nagging him for longer than just one start. In his absence expect Elder to get starts in Atlanta's rotation. Elder is no stranger to the Braves rotation and posted up a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts in 2023, though he performed much worse in 2024 with a 6.52 ERA in 10 starts. Fantasy managers should exercise caution before adding Elder in their league.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
March 8, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez saw his velocity decrease during Friday's Grapefruit League contest. Lopez's fastball sat near 90-to-92 mph during the contest and occasionally increased to 93 mph. His slider and curveball also saw a slight decrease in velocity (two-to-three mph) compared to last season. In this contest, Lopez surrendered six hits and four earned runs (five total). Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the remainder of spring training as his production could take a hit if his velocity remains down. Last season, Lopez enjoyed a career-season as he held a 1.99 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP across 135 2/3 innings. He tallied 148 strikeouts but generated a high 42.2 percent hard-hit rate. Lopez is expected to spend the entire 2025 season in the starting rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: David O'Brien
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