Reynaldo Lopez exited last night’s game against the Nationals with shoulder discomfort ahead of the second inning. After undergoing an MRI, the Braves opted to place him on the 15-day IL, effectively ending his season. He could potentially return for one of the club’s final four games or the postseason, but it feels unlikely given the nature of shoulder injuries.
However, the Braves are leaving the door open… for now. The MRI revealed no structural damage. The plan is for Reynaldo Lopez to be shut down for a few days and then start up a throwing program. At that point, they’ll know if there’s any chance he can return this season.
It’s far from the best news Braves fans could have received, but it’s also much better than the alternative. Shoulder injuries can be devastating to a pitcher’s career, as we saw recently with Kyle Wright. Reynaldo Lopez can offer a lot to this club in the future, and while there’s still hope this season, his long-term health is of the utmost importance.
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