In a setback to their playoff chances, the Atlanta Braves placed All-Star pitcher Reynaldo López on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation.
López only pitched one inning in the previous night’s 12-0 win over the Washington Nationals. He left after 25 pitches, with 16 of them being strikes. His usual fastball speed of 96 mph was reduced to 89-94 mph.
López has been a standout performer for the Braves, with an 8-5 record and a 2.03 ERA in 24 starts. He had been a reliever for the past three seasons, but Atlanta moved him to the rotation after signing him to a three-year, $30 million contract last winter.
Manager Brian Snitker said the outlook for López was positive. The examination revealed no structural damage.
“It was good. The MRI came back clean,” Snitker said. “He’s got inflammation. Hopefully we will calm it down, then give him a few days off, and then see where he’s at when he starts throwing again.”
However, this is a blow for the Braves with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season. López will not be able to return until the middle of the final week.
“We don’t know until after they kind of let everything calm down and then they’ll start him back throwing,” Snitker said. “It wasn’t anything structural.
It will be just like everything else. You give him a little time and then they’ll start him on a throwing program. Hopefully when his time’s up he could be back.”
The Braves were half a game behind the Mets for the NL’s final wild-card spot going into the last game of a two-game series against the Nationals. The Mets gained ground with a 6-2 win over Toronto earlier in the day.
Atlanta has stayed in playoff contention despite season-ending injuries to NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and ace pitcher Spencer Strider, as well as other significant injuries to key players.
