Little has been made about the Atlanta Braves relegating starter Reynaldo Lopez to the bullpen based simply on the team's wealth of pitching options. The move made sense as Lopez has a history in the pen, and the Braves hoped the right-hander could sort out whatever issues have caused this season's struggles. Struggles that started the moment the starter squared up with Jorge Soler in a surprise early-season brawl with the Los Angeles Angels. Lopez was winning that game and appeared to be poised to go deep and pick up a win.
Atlanta's previous two starts for Lopez saw the starter go a combined 11.0 innings, giving up only two earned runs. There simply wasn't a hint that his starting role could be in any danger before a fight with Soler that changed the fortunes of his season. After missing time due to suspension, Lopez returned and would give up eight runs and ten hits in his next 6.0 innings pitched, setting up the relegation to the Braves' pen.
Since joining the bullpen, Lopez has offered inconsistent results, evidenced by the three earned runs giving up in the last 5.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen. All of this serves as a reminder that all of these struggles started the moment that Soler charged the starter and started a chain of events that changed Lopez's season.
Braves' Early-Season Brawl Pointed to as Moment Things Changed for Reynaldo Lopez
It is important to note that this isn't to suggest a clear answer to the problems that Lopez has been dealing with this season. Rather, it is pointing out the fact that the regression starting instantly after the brawl is at least worth noting. Whether it was a situation that trickled down into Lopez's preparation, caused a confidence lapse, or caused physical strain or injury is all speculation that is more than fair considering the timing.
While it was quickly brushed off as tempers flaring between two former teammates, there appears to potentially have been a deeper impact for Lopez. The timing is simply too coincidental not to have some connection to the regression for what was expected to be an important piece in Atlanta's rotation.
No matter the answer, the Braves can't help but hold out hope Lopez can find a way to right the ship. The right-hander could still be a stopgap starter or a high-leverage option out of the bullpen if Atlanta can turn back the clock.
Lopez at his best can matchup with any lineup in the league proving this in the 2024 season when the veteran offered a 1.99 ERA and was a consistent source of production on the mound. It seems that version of Lopez disappeared ever since Soler squared up with the starter. An interesting coincidence that is completely conjecture, but cannot be denied as a possibility, looking at the regression of the previously reliable veteran.
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