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Lopez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday over the Tigers, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.
The right-hander breezed through the eighth and ninth innings on just 17 pitches (12 strikes) and got rewarded when Matt Olson launched a walk-off homer. It was Lopez's first relief appearance since losing his spot in the rotation, but he wasn't showing increased velocity in his new role -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball Wednesday -- and he figures to be in the bullpen for a while. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set to come off the IL this weekend and rookie JR Ritchie making a good impression since his promotion, there's simply no room for Lopez in Atlanta's rotation right now.
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Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Bumped to bullpen
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Lopez will be utilized as a reliever going forward while working on some mechanical issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander's 3.74 ERA through five starts this year looks solid, but his 1.43 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB tell a different story. Atlanta will soon be getting back Spencer Strider (oblique) from the injured list, while rookie JR Ritchie will also get a longer look in the rotation.
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Records just three outs in defeat
Rotowire
Lopez (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across one inning.
Lopez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in a 46-pitch first inning, as the Nationals batted around. James Wood then led off the second inning with a solo shot ahead of a Luis Garcia single, and Lopez's night was done after 58 pitches. It was Lopez's shortest start since he went two-thirds of an inning in July of 2020. The right-hander now owns a 3.74 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings to begin the 2026 campaign. Lopez is tentatively scheduled to next take the mound Sunday at home against the Phillies.
Lopez did not factor into Tuesday's decision against the Marlins, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six across five innings.
Lopez was back in the rotation for Atlanta after serving his five-game suspension. He got off to a rough start by allowing four runs through the first two innings, but he settled in to keep the Marlins off the board for the rest of his outing. Lopez generated only five whiffs on 96 pitches (53 strikes) but struck out five of the last 10 batters he faced. Through four starts, Lopez has a 2.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 20.2 innings. His next start is tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Phillies.
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Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Back in rotation Tuesday
Rotowire
Lopez will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Truist Park after completing his five-game suspension.
During his most recent start April 7, Lopez was ejected midway through the fifth inning for throwing at Jorge Soler and exchanging punches with the Angels designated hitter. Lopez was handed a seven-game suspension a day later, but he quickly reached a settlement with Major League Baseball on a five-game ban, which he began serving immediately. Due to an off day last Thursday, Atlanta was able to get by temporarily with four starters, so Lopez didn't end up missing a turn through the rotation.
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Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Suspension reduced to five games
Rotowire
Lopez's suspension has been reduced from seven to five games after he reached a settlement with Major League Baseball, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Lopez had been handed a seven-game ban after throwing a pitch near the head of the Angels' Jorge Soler in Tuesday's game that led to a benches-clearing brawl. Between the successful appeal and a team off day Thursday, Lopez will not have to miss a start. He's lined up to take the ball Tuesday at home against the Marlins.
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Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Handed seven-game ban, will appeal
Rotowire
Lopez was issued a seven-game suspension for his role in a benches-clearing incident during Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Angels, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Lopez will appeal the suspension.
Making his third start of the season Tuesday, Lopez was tossed from the game in the fifth inning shortly following a wild pitch near the head of batter Jorge Soler. Soler took exception to the inside pitch -- the slugger clubbed a homer and was also hit by a pitch earlier in the game -- and then charged the mound, with both he and Lopez exchanging punches in the ensuing fracas. Both players have chosen to appeal their respective seven-game bans and will be eligible to play until the appeal process is completed. For the time being, Lopez tentatively lines up to make his next start Monday versus the Marlins.
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Tossed from Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Lopez was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Angels after getting into a fight with Jorge Soler.
After giving up a two-run homer to Soler in the second inning, Lopez plunked the 34-year-old outfielder with a 96-mph fastball in the third and threw another pitch near his head in the fifth, prompting Soler to charge the mound. Both players were ejected after trading punches and may also receive a suspension from MLB. Lopez finished the day with two unearned runs allowed on three hits and two walks while logging seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Lopez (1-0) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.
Lopez gave up Jordan Lawlar's first MLB homer -- a big 424-foot solo blast -- in the third inning, but that's the only run the veteran hurler allowed. Meanwhile, Atlanta had a big day on offense, with an eight-run fifth inning giving Lopez an enormous cushion ahead of his final frame. The right-hander has had a nice beginning to the campaign, allowing just two runs (both on solo homers) over 11 innings while posting a 6:3 K:BB across his first two starts. Lopez made only one appearance last season before injuring his shoulder and missing the remainder of the campaign, but he was an All-Star in 2024, so it's feasible that he could be a viable fantasy asset throughout 2026 if he can remain healthy.
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