The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they signed right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez to a three-year deal.
Lopez pitched for three MLB teams in 2023, but it wasn’t because of a lack of talent: in 66 innings, he posted a 3.27 ERA with 83 strikeouts as a reliever.
The Braves looked his way because they need pitching help and he can provide it.
The best of all is that he can be a starter or a reliever.
He was a starter for his whole career until 2020.
In 2021, the Chicago White Sox converted him to a reliever and he took off.
Lopez took some time to talk to his new fans in Atlanta, greet them, and show his happiness about getting to pitch for a contending team for the next three seasons.
Reynaldo in the pic.twitter.com/GNmlMvIsJX
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 20, 2023
“Hey, it’s Reynaldo Lopez, checking in from Atlanta, your new pitcher. I’ll see you soon, happy to be here with you,” he said.
Short and sweet, but direct to the point, like his stuff.
His upper-nineties fastball and good secondaries will fit in nicely on the Braves, whether they use him in the rotation or in the bullpen.
The Braves’ plan is apparently having him prepare as a starter in the offseason and try to show in spring training that he belongs in the role.
He has a career 4.73 ERA starting games as opposed to a 3.01 mark as a reliever, but Atlanta believes his stuff has improved and could help him stick in the rotation.
Regardless of his role, he can consistently miss bats and that’s what the Braves need.
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