The Atlanta Braves were badly in need of a deep start from Reynaldo Lopez this past week in the midst of a brutal stretch with a bullpen that has been incredibly taxed over the last two months. Lopez responded by managing only 4.1 innings pitched, giving up five earned runs and allowing consistent traffic in an outing that drove home the team's current frustrations. After two solid starts in his return to the rotation, this was back-to-back outings with consistent runs given up.
Lopez has pitched 9.1 innings over his last two starts and given up nine earned runs in this stretch. This is hardly matching Atlanta's expectations, but there is little room for the franchise to make a move due to a lack of better options. Lopez should get at least another turn or two in the rotation as the team continues to attempt to piece innings together.
The right-hander did offer two solid starts before his recent struggles and unquestionably has the stuff to execute and give the lineup a consistent chance to win. With this in mind, Lopez should have a level of patience from a coaching staff that simply doesn't have another clear answer.
It is important to note that the hope is this changes happen ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, with Atlanta adding at least one arm of note. It is needed when you consider the way the rotation might line up in a potential postseason series.
Braves Must Continue to Exercise Patience with Struggling Reynaldo Lopez
Lopez has previously been a force in Atlanta's rotation, offering a 1.99 ERA in 135.2 innings pitched in the 2024 season. While this version of Lopez could prove to be an outlier, the talent is there to at least find a middle ground between dominance and the level of struggles that the Braves have endured in his last two outings.
With the Philadelphia Phillies right on their heels in the National League East, it is difficult to argue that the Braves won't attempt to make additions if the next week from the team's rotation doesn't show a level of consistency and promise. No question, the Braves have a number of difficult decisions to make, and near the top of the list is how long to remain patient with Lopez.
For now, the answer is giving the right-hander at least two additional starts, understanding the past production and the need to find veteran stability. Lopez is running out of time, but there is still a bit of hope the franchise will find an answer.
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