Through the first days of the 2026 season, it was clear that the bullpen was an area of strength for an impressive Atlanta Braves roster. However, as the season's first month has gone on, an injury to Raisel Iglesias and struggles from Aaron Bummer have made the unit's depth a bit more questionable. A concern that Atlanta very quietly answered this week was moving Reynaldo Lopez to the team's bullpen.
While the decision was sold as a temporary move, it is clear with the pending returns of Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach that this is unlikely to be the case. It makes far more sense to leave Lopez in the pen and give Atlanta four reliable options once the team is fully healthy.
Iglesias is nearing a return, and setup options Robert Suarez and Dylan Lee have offered incredibly reliable production. Add in Lopez's two scoreless innings this week in his 2026 relief debut, and the Braves have their answer for the back of the bullpen. Add in possible contributions from Tyler Kinley and this is a unit that still has the needed depth to make a deep postseason run.
Lopez answers the team's current biggest pitching concern and gives the Braves the best chance to get value out of the veteran's contract. As difficult for Lopez as this might be a relegation was earned after giving up eight runs over six innings pitched in two starts. Atlanta's rotational depth simply is too great to put up with this level of production.
Braves Have Found Perfect Stabilizing Piece After Moving Reynaldo Lopez to the Bullpen
Matt Olson is being given deserved attention for a walk-off homer to give the Braves a series win over the Detroit Tigers. However, what some fans and pundits are overlooking are the two clean innings that Lopez worked to keep the Braves close and give the franchise a chance at the walk-off win. The right-hander had two strikeouts and looked to be the best version of himself coming out of the pen.
This is very telling of the confidence the Braves should have in Lopez as a high-leverage option and what the bullpen could look like moving forward. Even when Iglesias returns, there is a clear need for another setup option to emerge with the struggles of Bummer, who has a 4.35 ERA and left fans guessing which version of the southpaw will show up when called upon.
Having Lopez in the bullpen takes the pressure off Bummer and gives manager Walt Weiss the needed four-man group to rely on to guide Atlanta through the final innings. It is hard to see Lopez going back to the bullpen based simply on this value and a myriad of starting options that leaves the right-hander far more valued in the pen.
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