WASHINGTON — On Tuesday night, Braves manager Brian Snitker spoke of Reynaldo López’s right shoulder with a hint of optimism. It seemed like Snitker did not fear the worst after López’s initial tests came back clean. But everyone understood nothing was for certain until the MRI.
López on Wednesday underwent an MRI that returned clean. It showed no structural damage. The Braves are calling it right shoulder inflammation, and they placed López on the 15-day injured list. He cannot return until Sept. 26 at the earliest.
The Braves, Snitker said, will give López a few days off to allow the inflammation to calm down. Then he’ll begin a throwing program, and his progress will determine how soon he can return.
The hope, of course, is that everything goes well and he’s back before the end of the regular season.
“Hopefully it’s like that,” Snitker said. “The MRI didn’t show anything, so that was really good. Just a little inflammation that he had.”
It seems the Braves avoided the worst with López. At this time of year, any injury could end a pitcher’s season because it takes time to shut him down and build him back up.
“It’ll just be like everything else: You give him a little time and then they’ll start him on the throwing program, and hopefully when his time’s up, he could be back,” Snitker said. “I don’t know.”
López was scheduled to start Monday against the Dodgers at Truist Park. The Braves instead will bring back Max Fried – Wednesday’s starter in Washington – to pitch that game on regular rest. This means the Braves need a starter for Tuesday’s series opener in Cincinnati.
They’ll see how they get there before determining a starter, Snitker said. This is the line they often use in these situations.
They can call up AJ Smith-Shawver, Ian Anderson or Bryce Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett. Or they could avoid making a roster move by starting Grant Holmes, who has made four starts for them this season.
“That would be an option also,” Snitker said of starting Holmes. “That’ll just be part of the how-we-get-there equation.”
On Sept. 26, the date López can return if ready, the Braves host the Mets for the final contest of a three-game series that is expected to be crucial for each team’s postseason hopes.
The Braves recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernández to take López’s roster spot and be part of their bullpen. Hernández has allowed one earned run over 11 major-league innings this season, and joins the Braves having posted a 2.59 ERA over 41-2/3 frames at Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
In addition, the Braves brought up infielder Cavan Biggio, who was acquired in a weekend trade with the Giants. The Braves optioned Luke Williams, who had started four consecutive games at second base after Whit Merrifield suffered a fracture in his foot. Biggio was in the lineup starting at second base and batting eighth on Wednesday.
“I mean, this is what you play for,” Biggio said of the opportunity. “This is the most exciting time of the year for baseball. I’ve always admired this organization for a long time, from watching my dad play against this team for so long and not having much success against these guys. So, it’s very exciting. To be a part of such a respected organization, in a time like this, is more than I could ever ask for.”
In Tuesday’s first inning, López’s velocity was down by a significant margin. His first three four-seam fastballs: 89 mph, 90.6 mph, 91.1 mph. Overall, he averaged 91.9 mph on 13 four-seamers in that inning – a 3.6 mph dip from his season average before that.
“I just saw the velocities were not good,” Snitker said after the game. “And then I talked to him after and kind of made him fess up. He wanted to keep going, but it was like when he stepped on it, it didn’t feel great.”
The Braves removed López from the game. After they defeated the Nationals, López, speaking through interpreter Franco García, said he was surprised to see his first fastball register at 89 mph because he thought it would be 95 mph.
“A little bit of tightness,” López said of what he felt. “I’ve always felt like I’ve had the mobility and the ability to, when I need to reach back and throw 95 (mph), 97 (mph), to be able to do it, and I just wasn’t able to do that (Tuesday), and I think that’s what ultimately led to the decision.”
López has a 2.03 ERA over 128-2/3 innings this season. He’s been one of baseball’s more pleasant surprises, but is now on the injured list for the second time this season. In July, he landed on it because of right forearm inflammation.
López hadn’t thrown this many innings in a season since 2019, when he logged 184 frames. He’s been a full-time relievers over the past few seasons, but the Braves signed him with the intention that he could start for them.
His presence is important for their rotation. With Chris Sale, Max Fried and López, the Braves would have a terrific top three for the postseason – if they get there.
But for now, they must replace López and pray that he quickly recovers.
