At this point in the MLB regular season, teams and players are making various decisions to help their respective causes.
Some teams are constantly calling players up from the minor leagues, while also designating other players for assignment in hopes of keeping them within the organization or allowing them to play elsewhere.
One former Atlanta Braves infielder wasn’t DFA’d by his new team, but is taking a huge gamble by leaving and searching for a better opportunity.
Ex-Braves Infielder Nicky Lopez Opting Out Minor League Deal With Arizona
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, veteran infielder Nicky Lopez is reportedly opting out of his minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 30-year-old Lopez joined the Diamondbacks on May 27 on a minor league pact after he was released by the Chicago Cubs five days prior. Lopez was immediately sent down to Triple-A Reno, where he was playing well at the plate.
The versatile infielder slashed .267/.303/.317 with three doubles, a triple, and seven RBI in 24 games. Lopez also had a .620 OPS, which was better than what he did with the Cubs and Los Angeles Angels (.220) in the majors this season. Murray adds that the ex-Braves infielder played all over the diamond (every infield spot and left field) in Reno.
The journeyman infielder had a brief stint with the Braves during the 2023 season, when he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Kansas City Royals.
Lopez played well in his short stint in Atlanta, hitting .277 with three doubles, a home run, and 12 RBI in 26 games. Despite playing well with the Braves, Atlanta traded Lopez to the Chicago White Sox in November 2023.
The veteran infielder played 124 games with the White Sox last year, where he slugged .241 at the plate. That said, he’s struggled to find his footing this year, but maybe the former Brave can find a potential MLB opportunity in the near future.