An encouraging injury update on Reynaldo Lopez

Reynaldo Lopez has been out the last four weeks with knee inflammation. Prior to that, he made 24 appearances this season with 11 starts, pitching to a 3.64 ERA and 4.32 FIP over 71.2 innings.

The club has remained consistent on Lopez being a starting pitcher, but with so little time to ramp up and the arms already ahead of him on the roster, it would be pretty surprising if they chose to stretch him out fully. More than likely, he’ll join the Braves bullpen when he returns — a place where he’s had a lot of success over his career.

In 158 appearances as a reliever, Lopez owns a 3.03 ERA over 187.2 innings, and his ability to go multiple innings could prove valuable down the stretch.