Braves Place RHP Reynaldo Lopez on Injured List, Welcome Infielder Cavan Biggio

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ICARO Media Group
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11/09/2024 20h34

In a recent announcement, the Atlanta Braves revealed that right-hander Reynaldo Lopez has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. This decision comes after Lopez experienced a significant drop in velocity during his last start, prompting manager Brian Snitker to schedule an MRI. Although the results of the imaging have not yet been disclosed, the team has decided to shut down Lopez for the remainder of the regular season as a precautionary measure.

To fill the void left by Lopez, the Braves have recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett. Additionally, the team has made some adjustments to their infield mix. They have selected the contract of recently acquired infielder Cavan Biggio, who joins the Braves from Gwinnett. In order to make room for Biggio on the 40-man roster, right-hander Jimmy Herget has been designated for assignment.

This latest blow adds to the long list of injuries that have plagued the Braves this season. The absence of key players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, A.J. Minter, and Whit Merrifield has put the team's depth and resilience to the test. However, the Braves have managed to stay competitive in a tightly contested race for the final NL Wild Card spot against division-rival Mets by incorporating midseason signings and acquisitions such as Jorge Soler, Gio Urshela, Ramon Laureano, and now Biggio.

While the Braves have a pool of in-house options to consider for Lopez's spot in the rotation, including Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Allan Winans, Hurston Waldrep, and Ian Anderson, it is unlikely that any of them will be able to replicate Lopez's stellar performance. Lopez's unexpected transition from reliever to starter has been a pleasant surprise for the team, as he earned a spot on the All-Star team with an impressive 2.03 ERA this season.

As for Biggio, this will be his third team in the current season, having previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with a minor league stint with the San Francisco Giants organization. So far, Biggio has struggled at the plate, evidenced by his underwhelming .197/.316/.306 batting line and high strikeout rate of 32%. However, the Braves hope that he can contribute by getting on base consistently in the lower portion of the batting order.

With the arrival of Biggio, the Braves bid farewell to veteran pitcher Jimmy Herget. Herget, who had recently been pitching with Gwinnett, posted a 4.38 ERA in 12 1/3 innings with Atlanta this season. Despite his up-and-down performance in recent years, Herget has generally been reliable in low-leverage situations. However, due to his upcoming arbitration eligibility and being out of options next season, the Braves have chosen to designate him for assignment.

The Braves will now rely on their remaining roster and the production of their newfound acquisitions to continue their quest for a playoff spot. Despite the challenges, the team remains optimistic and determined to overcome the obstacles that have come their way.

In summary, the Atlanta Braves have placed Reynaldo Lopez on the injured list, called up Daysbel Hernandez, welcomed Cavan Biggio to their infield mix, and designated Jimmy Herget for assignment. These moves underscore the team's ongoing battle with injuries and their commitment to finding suitable replacements as they vie for a postseason berth.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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