Braves All-Star RHP Now Confirms Exit Starting Today Following Board Statement
Reynaldo Lopez, an Atlanta Braves All-Star pitcher, left his start against the New York Mets after three scoreless innings Sunday afternoon due to right forearm soreness. Lopez navigated traffic throughout his brief appearance Sunday. The right-hander allowed three singles and one walk while throwing 57 pitches,
but the Mets went hitless in eight plate appearances with runners on base. Dylan Lee replaced Lopez with the Braves leading 4-0 after MatOlson’s three-run homer and Orlando Arcia’s bases-loaded walk in the top of the fourth.
The difficult outing maintained Lopez’s recent trend, as he has a 2.06 ERA in 19 starts despite spending the previous three seasons as a reliever. The 30-year-old began the season 7-2 with a 1.71 ERA in his first 16 appearances, but has gone 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in his past two outings before Sunday.
Lopez’s absence would put more strain on the Braves’ already injury-prone rotation. Opening Day starter Spencer Strider sustained a season-ending right elbow injury on April 5, while All-Star Max Fried is out with left elbow neuritis.
