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Braves injured All-Star takes massive step in recovery

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 6:44 PM ET

Every piece of the Braves Opening Day rotation has spent significant time on the IL. Four of them are out for the season, including Reynaldo Lopez, who made just one start before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Initially, there was hope he could return at some point, but with the Braves falling so far behind in the standings, the urgency to get him back on the mound subsided.

Lopez’s shoulder has been bothering him dating back to last season. Even amid an All-Star campaign in which he posted a 1.99 ERA, he spent two different stints on the IL. That’s why the surgery was necessary, and it apparently has worked wonders. Lopez has started throwing off the mound again and said on Friday that he no longer feels any pain in the shoulder.

#Braves’ Reynaldo López, coming back from shoulder surgery, threw off mound for 2nd time, 20 pitches; will have 5 more bullpens before facing hitters once prior to offseason. Says shoulder bothered him several years, is pain-free now. Prefers starting, but will do whatever asked.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 12, 2025

Getting Reynaldo Lopez back could be a massive boost to a Braves rotation that desperately needs another frontline starter.

Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach are an incredible one-two punch at the top, but both of them have health concerns of their own going into 2026. After that, there’s not much the Braves can rely on. Spencer Strider really struggled in his return to the mound following InternalBrace surgery last year, AJ Smith-Shawver will miss all of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Grant Holmes is currently rehabbing from a UCL injury as well.

Hurston Waldrep’s emergence over the final couple of months has provided a little more optimism about the group, but another frontline arm is not a want, it is a need. Reynaldo Lopez could be that guy, or the Braves might feel more comfortable with him as a high leverage reliever, an role he excelled in before coming to Atlanta.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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