Braves make major move with Reynaldo Lopez amid rotation struggles

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Braves make major move with Reynaldo Lopez amid rotation struggles

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 25, 2026 11:37 AM ET

The Atlanta Braves are shaking things up and moving Reynaldo Lopez back into the starting rotation. He will be making his sixth start out of the rotation facing the San Francisco Giants on Friday.

The decision was made following struggles and injuries in the rotation. The 32-year-old started the season in the rotation and made five starts in April before being moved to the bullpen.

Prior to moving to the pen, he recorded a 3.74 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 21.2 innings. He made his last start in the rotation on April 21 against the Washington Nationals. On the season, Lopez has recorded a 3-1 record with a 3.50 ERA with 39 strikeouts.

From his transition as a reliever from late April until mid-June, he pitched 13 games and logged a 3.27 ERA across 22 innings of work. His reliability for the Braves this season will help to stabilize the rotation as the team looks to return back to form.

Reynaldo Lopez will start Friday night for the Braves in San Francisco per @mlbbowman pic.twitter.com/1ORWxkSb8g
— SleeperBraves (@SleeperBraves) June 24, 2026

Braves' rotation struggles led to a change

Across the first 19 games of June, the Braves' starting rotation's performance has taken a sharp downturn with a 5.43 ERA and 6-9 record. The rotation held a solid 3.01 ERA in April and a 3.52 ERA in May.

Starter Bryce Elder has contributed to the rotation struggles in June where he surrendered 19 earned runs across only 22.2 innings. The Braves rotation currently has Spencer Strider, AJ Smith-Shawver, Spencer Schwellenbach and Joey Wentz all nursing significant injuries.

But even with the Braves getting a much-needed boost back in the rotation with Lopez, they still need to explore starting pitching on the trade market.

Lopez is expected to pitch about 60 pitches on Friday, meaning his workload will be limited and targeting more arms should still be a priority. Also, the Braves' starting pitching depth behind veteran ace Chris Sale has continued to be an area of concern.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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