However the postgame focus was on MLB ERA chief Reynaldo López, who exited after three scoreless innings due to proper forearm tightness. Simply when it seemed just like the Braves is likely to be trending in the fitting path, they had been punched within the intestine but once more by the harm bug.
“It sucks,” Olson mentioned. “It sort of feels like each week or each different week, we’re getting some unhealthy information. So undoubtedly hoping for the most effective right here.”
López returned to Atlanta on Sunday for additional analysis. Even when the MRI outcomes don’t present structural harm, a stint on the 15-day injured checklist appears probably. However the Braves can be happy to be taught the All-Star hurler wants only a quick relaxation.
There weren’t any obvious indicators of discomfort throughout López’s 57-pitch outing. His remaining fastball was clocked at 97.4 mph, his quickest pitch of the day. Marcell Ozuna really alerted the teaching employees, telling them López was within the tunnel behind the dugout after the third.
“You consider when [the injuries are] going to cease,” Braves third baseman Austin Riley mentioned. “Hopefully, it’s nothing critical and the outcomes come again optimistic and he doesn’t miss a lot.”
López leads certified Main League starters with a 2.06 ERA. He made a profitable conversion from reliever to starter this 12 months, however there was all the time some concern about him serving as a starter over a whole season for the primary time since 2019.
The 30-year-old righty didn’t full greater than 66 innings in both of the previous two seasons (MLB and Minors mixed). He has totaled 104 2/3 innings this 12 months, because the Braves have fastidiously managed his workload. 9 of his 19 begins have been made with two additional days of relaxation. Simply two had been made with common relaxation.
“You possibly can by no means be too cautious after they get tightness,” Snitker mentioned. “That’s most likely why he’s already on the airport or within the air proper now. You wish to be proactive.”
Together with desirous to know López’s standing, the Braves must have an understanding of the place they stand main as much as Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Commerce Deadline. They undoubtedly want an outfielder. Does this newest harm additionally create the necessity for a beginning pitcher? Or is it an indication that the workforce shouldn’t be too aggressive throughout this injury-marred season?
It’s been a frustration-filled season for the Braves. Nevertheless it’s spectacular that they nonetheless have a 1 1/2-game lead for second place within the NL East after dropping Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider to season-ending accidents. Michael Harris II will find yourself lacking two months earlier than returning throughout August’s second half. Ozzie Albies might be out till the second half of September.
Chris Sale, Max Fried and López represented the Braves on the All-Star Sport simply two weeks in the past. Fried has since gone on the injured checklist, and López may quickly be part of him.
Even with all the accidents, the Braves can be thought of a World Sequence risk in the event that they entered the postseason with every of those high three beginning pitchers wholesome. Fried felt good taking part in catch on Sunday and might be activated in the course of the subsequent homestand.
If López is projected to overlook vital time, it might be arduous for the Braves to justify making an aggressive transfer earlier than Tuesday’s Deadline. But when it seems like he would possibly must miss a few weeks, this would possibly find yourself being the remainder he wanted to make sure he’ll be robust within the postseason.
Together with hoping to get excellent news about López, the Braves are hoping that is the beginning of a scorching streak for Olson, who nonetheless has a .705 OPS regardless of homering every of the previous two days. The primary baseman hit an opposite-field homer on Saturday after which pulled a 426-foot three-run shot down the right-field line throughout Sunday’s fourth inning.
There was loads of purpose for encouragement, because the Braves responded to a six-game dropping streak by profitable the ultimate two video games of this four-game sequence. However the uncertainty surrounding López muddied the optimism constructed over the previous couple of days.
“I really like how the blokes stepped up immediately,” Snitker mentioned. “They misplaced a starter and all people answered the decision.”
