Lopez (elbow) is making good progress and has an outside chance of pitching in MLB before the season ends, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Lopez landed on the injured list Aug. 26 with a left elbow flexor strain, just two days after giving up nine runs in a disastrous start against the Mariners. Prior to that outing, the southpaw had been effective, recording a 3.28 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 20 appearances (16 starts) and 90.2 innings. The Athletics aren't in a position to rush him back without playoff pressure, but the positive reports on his recovery are at least encouraging for a possible return.
The Athletics placed Lopez on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left elbow flexor strain.
Lopez's strained elbow played a factor in his performance in a loss to the Mariners on Sunday, when he surrendered nine earned runs in just two innings. The Athletics will shut down for a period of time before he's cleared to start a throwing program, though the team is optimistic that the 27-year-old southpaw will make it back before the end of the season, likely as a reliever. Mason Barnett was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Lopez's place on the active roster, but the team hasn't yet announced who will replace Lopez in the rotation.
Athletics' Jacob Lopez: Headed for IL with flexor strain
Rotowire
The Athletics announced Monday that Lopez has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his left forearm and has been shut down from throwing, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Lopez was lit up for nine earned runs on six hits and six walks over two innings during his start in Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Mariners, with the Athletics revealing after the outing that the southpaw was battling forearm tightness. After undergoing an MRI, Lopez now has an official diagnosis of his injury, and manager Mark Kotsay said that the 27-year-old will be officially moved to the 15-day injured list Tuesday. The Athletics are hopeful that Lopez will be able to return at some point before the end of the season, even if it means he's working in a bullpen role, according to Gallegos. Joey Estes pitched in long relief of Lopez on Sunday and is the most likely candidate to enter the rotation as Lopez's replacement during the Athletics' series against the Rangers this coming weekend.
Athletics' Jacob Lopez: Dealing with forearm tightness
Rotowire
Lopez experienced forearm tightness during his start in Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Mariners, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Lopez was lit up for nine earned runs on six hits and six walks while striking out two batters across two-plus innings before being removed from the contest after tossing just 65 pitches. The left-hander had given up 10 total runs (nine earned) over his last seven starts prior to Sunday's contest, so the forearm injury provides an explanation behind his immense struggles in Seattle. Manager Mark Kotsay said that Lopez will be re-evaluated Monday, but considering the early diagnosis along with the fact that the southpaw previously required Tommy John surgery in 2021, the 27-year-old is most likely headed to the injured list.
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