From Newsweek · Aaron Coloma · · 1m 10s
Braves lose Reynaldo Lopez before October
Atlanta’s rotation takes another late hit as Reynaldo Lopez’s shoulder sends him to the injured list.
In brief
Atlanta’s rotation takes another late hit as Reynaldo Lopez’s shoulder sends him to the injured list. The Braves still have a playoff rotation, but Lopez’s injury leaves less margin behind Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and Martin Perez. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Lopez is done
Reynaldo Lopez went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, ending his 2026 regular season for Atlanta.
“right shoulder inflammation”
Ritchie gets called
The Braves filled the roster spot by recalling right-hander JR Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett.
A familiar injury worry
Lopez missed almost all of 2025 after a shoulder injury led to season-ending surgery following just one start.
His season was uneven
In 26 appearances, including 13 starts, Lopez threw 79.1 innings with a 4.54 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
Rotation takes another hit
Lopez had been a key arm, and Bryce Elder is also out for the rest of the regular season after knee surgery.
October group remains
Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle and Grant Holmes look set for the postseason rotation, with Martin Perez likely taking the fourth spot over AJ Smith-Shawver.
The short version
The Braves still have a playoff rotation, but Lopez’s injury leaves less margin behind Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and Martin Perez.
