April 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels have designated infielder
Nicky Lopez for assignment. In a corresponding move, the Angels activated infielder
Zach Neto (shoulder) off the injured list. Lopez has appeared in five games this season and did not tally a hit across six plate appearances. If Lopez is not claimed on waivers, the 30-year-old will report to Triple-A Salt Lake. Last season, Lopez held a .241/.312/.294 slash line with just 12 doubles and one long ball across 124 contests with the Chicago White Sox. Under the hood, Lopez generated a low .288 xSLG and a .268 xwOBA, which were both well below the average marks. If Lopez returns to Triple-A Salt Lake, he may eventually earn the call back to the majors later in the summer as a depth infielder.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bill Shaikin
March 25, 2025
Free-agent infielder
Nicky Lopez has signed an undisclosed major-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday and will be on the team's Opening Day roster. The Chicago Cubs cut Lopez despite the fact that he went 9-for-20 (.450) with two doubles and three runs scored in nine Cactus League games in spring training. The 30-year-old veteran will provide the Angels with veteran infield depth as they navigate injuries to shortstop
Zach Neto (shoulder) and third basemen
Yoan Moncada (thumb) and
Anthony Rendon (hip) to begin the 2025 regular season. The former fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2016 out of Creighton University has six years of big-league experience but has been a below-average hitter with very little power (seven homers). At best, Lopez could be worth a look in AL-only leagues for his speed (47 career steals) for infield depth.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
March 9, 2025
Chicago Cubs infielder
Nicky Lopez was part of a handful of cuts made by the organization this weekend. The most shocking was probably Lopez who was expected to make the 28-man roster for the season-opener in Japan. Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs and was competing for a utility infielder spot on the roster. Unfortunately, Lopez wasn't able to beat out
Gage Workman or
Vidal Brujan for one of those final spots on the roster. The expectation is that Lopez is going to be released, so that he could attempt to catch on elsewhere.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
February 3, 2025
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have signed infielder
Nicky Lopez to a minor league contract. Lopez spent the 2024 campaign on the Southside of Chicago and will now move up to the Northside for the 2025 season. Across 124 games, Lopez held a .241/.312/.294 line. He tallied 12 doubles, three triples, and five stolen bases. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 15.1 percent strikeout rate and a solid 8.3 percent walk rate. However, he struggled to generate any power as he posted a .288 xSLG and a 1.5 percent barrel rate, both within the first percentile among qualified hitters. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to compete for a depth spot in the infield during spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Rogers
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