After enduring a stretch in Spring Training where injuries tested the depth of their starting rotation, the Atlanta Braves now find themselves in a far more flexible and favorable situation. What was once a concern has evolved into something of a luxury, as the team currently has enough healthy and capable arms to experiment with how they structure their starting five. This newfound depth has allowed the coaching staff to make strategic adjustments, including a notable role change involving right-hander Reynaldo López.
With ace pitcher Spencer Strider nearing a return to the rotation, the Braves have opted to shift López out of a starting role and into the bullpen. Manager Walt Weiss shared this development with reporters on Sunday, including Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, explaining that the move is designed to help both López and the team in the short term while maintaining a broader long-term vision.
López’s most recent outing as a starter did not go as planned and likely played a key role in the decision. In that appearance, which came during an 11-4 loss to the Washington Nationals last Tuesday, he struggled mightily and failed to make it out of the second inning. He surrendered four earned runs while recording just over an inning of work, facing only a handful of batters before being pulled. It was a disappointing showing, particularly for a pitcher who had entered the season with relatively high expectations after a strong previous year.
In the aftermath of that difficult performance, the Braves’ coaching staff decided that a temporary move to the bullpen could benefit López as he works through some inconsistencies. Weiss explained that the goal is to give him an opportunity to “iron some things out” in a less demanding environment. Rather than asking him to navigate a lineup multiple times, the bullpen role allows López to focus on refining his mechanics and regaining confidence without the pressure that comes with starting.
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Weiss elaborated on López’s situation, noting that the pitcher is currently working through some issues related to his delivery. While those problems have not completely derailed his performance, they have contributed to some uneven outings. According to Weiss, López is making progress and gradually getting closer to his optimal form. The manager expressed confidence in López’s abilities, emphasizing that when he is performing at his best, he ranks among the team’s top starters.
In fact, Weiss pointed out that López was viewed as the Braves’ number two starter coming out of Spring Training, even though he experienced some difficulties toward the end of camp.
That level of trust underscores the organization’s belief in his potential and explains why this move is being framed as a temporary adjustment rather than a permanent demotion. The Braves still see López as a key piece of their rotation in the long run, but for now, they believe he can contribute more effectively out of the bullpen.
The situation remains fluid, and the Braves are taking a flexible, series-by-series approach to managing their rotation. Weiss acknowledged that the team is not locking itself into a rigid plan at this stage of the season. Instead, they are evaluating performance, health, and matchups on an ongoing basis to determine the best configuration for each upcoming series.
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For the three-game set against the Detroit Tigers beginning on Tuesday, the Braves have lined up Martín Pérez, JR Ritchie, and Bryce Elder as their starting pitchers. This trio represents a mix of experience and youth, with Pérez bringing veteran stability, Elder offering familiarity, and Ritchie providing a glimpse of emerging talent.
Looking ahead, Grant Holmes is expected to take the mound on Friday in a matchup against the Colorado Rockies. Chris Sale, one of the most accomplished pitchers on the staff, is tentatively scheduled to start either Saturday or Sunday, depending on how Strider’s recovery progresses.
Strider’s impending return is a major factor in the current reshuffling of the pitching staff. The hard-throwing right-hander has been sidelined all season on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from an oblique strain. However, his rehabilitation appears to be on track. In his third rehab start, he threw 82 pitches, a significant workload that suggests he is nearing game readiness. Assuming he avoids any setbacks, Strider is expected to rejoin the major league rotation during one of the games next weekend in Denver.
The Braves’ ability to navigate these adjustments is a testament to how well the team has been performing overall. Entering this stretch, Atlanta boasts a league-best record of 20-9, reflecting strong contributions across all areas of the roster. The offense has been productive, the bullpen has been reliable, and the starting rotation has generally delivered solid results.
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Even so, there are some underlying concerns with the rotation that could influence future decisions. While the group has posted an impressive collective ERA of 3.12, some of the advanced metrics suggest that this level of performance may not be entirely sustainable. This raises questions about how long the starters can maintain their current pace and whether the team might need to make further adjustments as the season progresses.
Another factor to consider is the varying degrees of job security among the pitchers currently in the rotation. For instance, JR Ritchie is still establishing himself at the major league level, and the Braves may be cautious about overextending a rookie.
Similarly, Martín Pérez’s situation has been somewhat unusual, as he was released earlier in the season before being brought back on a new minor league contract and subsequently re-added to the active roster. These circumstances highlight the tentative nature of the current rotation and the possibility of further changes down the line.
Within this context, López’s move to the bullpen can be seen as a practical decision based on roster dynamics rather than a reflection of poor overall performance. Statistically, he has been respectable, posting a 3.74 ERA while doing a commendable job of limiting hard contact from opposing hitters. However, a closer look at his numbers reveals some areas of concern.
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López’s strikeout rate currently sits at 21.1%, which is below the league average for starting pitchers. His walk rate, at 11.6%, is also higher than ideal, indicating some issues with command. Additionally, his four-seam fastball velocity has dipped noticeably, averaging 93.9 miles per hour compared to 95.5 mph during the 2024 season. This decline in velocity could be a contributing factor to his reduced effectiveness and is likely something the coaching staff is monitoring closely.
The contrast between López’s current performance and his standout 2024 campaign is particularly striking. Last season, he was one of the most effective pitchers in baseball, posting a stellar 1.99 ERA over 135 2/3 innings. That success came after the Braves made the decision to transition him back into a starting role, a move that paid off handsomely. López thrived in that capacity, demonstrating the ability to handle a significant workload while consistently shutting down opposing lineups.
However, the latter part of that breakout season was marred by injury issues. López dealt with both forearm and shoulder problems, which limited his effectiveness and ultimately foreshadowed the challenges he would face in 2025. Those concerns carried over into the following year, when he was able to make just one start before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.
The surgery and subsequent rehabilitation process significantly disrupted López’s development and preparation. Although he made progress in his recovery, his rehab was eventually shut down late in the season because there was not enough time for him to fully build up his arm strength to handle a starter’s workload. As a result, he entered the current season having missed a substantial amount of competitive action.
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Given that context, it is not surprising that López has experienced some rust as he works his way back into form. Despite the long layoff, he showed encouraging signs in his first three starts of the year, suggesting that he still has the ability to be an effective contributor. However, the inconsistency that followed indicates that he is still in the process of regaining his rhythm and fine-tuning his mechanics.
By moving López to the bullpen, the Braves are providing him with an opportunity to address these issues in a more controlled setting. In this role, he can focus on shorter outings, which may help him regain his velocity and sharpen his command. Additionally, pitching in lower-leverage situations reduces the immediate pressure, allowing him to experiment and make adjustments without the same level of scrutiny that comes with starting.
From the team’s perspective, having López available as a multi-inning reliever adds valuable depth to the bullpen. He can serve as a bridge in games where the starter exits early, helping to preserve the rest of the relief corps. This versatility is particularly important over the course of a long season, as it provides insurance against unexpected challenges such as injuries or short outings from other pitchers.
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Ultimately, the Braves’ decision reflects a balanced approach that prioritizes both short-term success and long-term development. While López may not currently hold a spot in the starting rotation, the organization’s confidence in his abilities remains intact. If he is able to resolve his mechanical issues and return to peak form, it is entirely possible that he will rejoin the rotation later in the season.
For now, the Braves are content to take things one step at a time, leveraging their depth to navigate the early part of the schedule while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. With key players like Strider nearing a return and others stepping up to fill important roles, the team appears well-positioned to continue its strong start. In this evolving landscape, López’s transition to the bullpen represents just one piece of a larger strategy aimed at sustaining success over the course of the season.
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