Lopez is expected to be recalled to start Saturday's game against the Braves, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.
It was unclear when the Nationals would call on a fifth starter, and it was unclear which pitcher they would summon from Triple-A. Both of those questions appear to have been answered, as the hard throwing Dominican will make his third big league start Saturday against a mediocre Braves lineup. Lopez has a 3.12 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 26 innings with Triple-A Syracuse but his 9.35 ERA and 2.31 WHIP in two big league starts should be enough to scare away some prospective owners. The one thing he should be able to provide is strikeouts -- he has 13 over nine innings in The Show this year. With Joe Ross shut down with shoulder soreness, Lopez could stick in the big league rotation for the foreseeable future if he performs better this time around. Otherwise Lucas Giolito will likely get another shot.