White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Could be part of committee
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Lopez is set to serve as a high-leverage arm for the White Sox this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports. "He's a special talent, and he's also a special kid," said manager Pedro Grifol. "He likes the moment. He likes the stage."
Grifol swooned about how special he thinks Lopez is, having strategized against him for the past several years as the Royals' bench coach from 2020-22. The skipper indicated that bullpen usage will be determined by game situations, not a particular inning designation, so it sounds like Lopez will enter the season as part of a saves committee along with Kendall Graveman.
Lopez signed a one-year contract with the White Sox on Friday to avoid arbitration, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Lopez found his groove as a full-time reliever in 2022, holding a 2.76 ERA and 63:11 K:BB over 65.1 innings. He was one of the team's most trusted relievers by the end of the season and could be in the mix for saves in 2023 while Liam Hendriks (cancer) recovers.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Activated for Game 2
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Lopez (back) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Lopez suffered the injury during his first appearance after the All-Star break, but he's now been cleared to rejoin Chicago's active roster. The 28-year-old has been a key bullpen piece for the White Sox this year with a 2.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Ramping up
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Lopez (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will throw a sim game over the weekend, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Lopez was placed on the injured list July 28, but the move was retroactive to July 25. It was hoped that he would have only a minimum stint, and this ramp-up schedule suggests he could be activated when first eligible Tuesday. Lopez has been a key part of the White Sox's bullpen, maintaining a 2.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings for the season.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Eyeing minimum-length IL stint
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Lopez (back) said Sunday that he's making good progress and expects to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Aug. 9, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Lopez's lower-back strain forced him to the IL on Thursday, but he already resumed throwing Saturday after two doctors quickly determined he wouldn't require surgery to address the injury. The right-hander has converted to a full-time relief role in 2022 and has generated a 2.98 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 42.1 innings while collecting four wins and four holds.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a lower-back strain Thursday, retroactive to July 25.
Lopez's back injury has kept him off the mound since Saturday, and he'll be sidelined for at least another week and a half after being diagnosed with a strain. It's not yet clear when the White Sox expect the right-hander will return to action.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Dealing with back issue
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Lopez hasn't pitched since Saturday while managing a back injury, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.
Lopez surrendered a run over one-third of an inning and was charged with a blown save Saturday, though it's unclear if that's when the back issue first surfaced. The White Sox have a scheduled day off Thursday, and it's unclear if the 31-year-old, who has a 3.61 ERA across 77.1 innings this year, will be available Friday versus the A's.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Solid in opener role
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Lopez allowed a hit while striking out three batters over two shutout frames as the opener during Friday's win over the Rangers.
Lopez coughed up a single to Sam Huff in the second inning but was otherwise perfect in his short outing. He lowered his season ERA to 3.96 through 25 frames. It was the first time that he completed at least two innings since May 26.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Serving as opener
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Lopez will serve as the opener Friday against the Rangers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Lopez has 96 career major-league starts to his name, but don't expect him to pitch particularly deep in this contest even though he's listed as the starter. He's topped out at two innings so far this season and is unlikely to throw any more than that Friday before handing the ball to Davis Martin.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Suffers first loss
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Lopez (4-1) allowed two runs on two hits and no walks while striking out one across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Royals.
Lopez entered the game in the sixth inning with the score tied 2-2. He immediately ran into trouble, surrendering a single, a triple and a sacrifice fly to account for the two tallies against him, though he returned for a clean frame in the seventh. Lopez had turned in six straight appearances without an earned run -- spanning 6.1 innings -- prior to Wednesday's loss, also picking up two wins and a hold in that span. For the season, Lopez has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP across 15.2 frames.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Moves past back issue
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Lopez (back) made a pair of relief appearances during the White Sox's series with the Yankees over the weekend, striking out three over two scoreless frames while allowing one hit and walking none.
Lopez wasn't available for a few days after suffering from lower-back tightness during his prior relief appearance May 9 against the Guardians, but he looks to be back to full strength heading into the White Sox's eight-game week.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Playing catch Wednesday
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Lopez (back) will play catch from 90 feet Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Lopez exited Monday's game against the Guardians with lower-back tightness, but his pain is subsiding ahead of Wednesday's throwing session. Assuming he feels good after playing catch, the White Sox hope Lopez will be able to resume a normal routine in 2-to-3 days.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Exits with trainer
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Lopez left Monday night's game against the Gurdians with lower-back tightness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Lopez will be considered day-to-day until further notice. He gave up a hit in a scoreless inning prior to departing.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Picks up fourth win
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Lopez (4-0) allowed three hits and struck out one across two scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday against the Red Sox.
Lopez entered the game in the eighth inning and had a relatively smooth start to his appearance. However, he allowed two runners to reach scoring position in the ninth frame before striking out Bobby Dalbec and forcing Trevor Story to pop out to escape the jam. Lopez has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen this season and has a 4.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a 7:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Earns win in relief
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Lopez (3-0) earned the win, striking out one in a scoreless inning during a 3-1 victory Tuesday over the Cubs.
Lopez entered the game with a man on first and no outs in the fifth inning, getting a double-play ball and recording a strikeout to complete the inning. Despite his 3-0 record, Lopez has been inconsistent in the early going. In four of his outings, he's retired every batter he's faced but in the other three, he's allowed at least a run on multiple hits and one or more walks. Cumulatively, he has a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Working as reliever
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Manager Tony La Russa said Sunday that Lopez will work out of the bullpen for the time being, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Vince Velasquez is Chicago's No. 5 starter to open the campaign with Lance Lynn (knee) out, and Lopez will remain in relief for now despite the fact Lucas Giolito is headed to the injured list after suffering an abdominal strain Opening Day. Lopez is likely to receive some starts at some point this season, but they apparently won't be coming in the immediate future.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Gets $525,000 raise
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Lopez and the White Sox agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $2.625 million contract to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Lopez was productive over his 20 appearances (nine starts) in 2021, finishing with a 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55:13 K:BB across 57.2 innings. However, because he wasn't a full-time member of the rotation last season like he was in 2020, Lopez will get a modest raise of $525,000 in his penultimate arbitration year. Lopez may have to settle for a long-relief role to begin 2022 if all of Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Dallas Keuchel and Michael Kopech are deemed ready to go for Opening Day.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Charged with loss Sunday
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Lopez (4-4) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Tigers on Sunday.
Lopez entered Sunday's game to preserve a tie in the top of the ninth inning, but he gave up a home run to lead off the frame before allowing two more runs to come across prior to his removal. The right-hander allowed at least two runs in five of his last six outings of the regular season, and he'll likely pitch out of the bullpen during the playoffs.
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White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: Earns easy win Tuesday
Rotowire
Lopez (4-3) allowed one run on two hits while striking out four over six innings as he got the win over the Reds on Tuesday.
Outside of a fifth-inning home run from Eugenio Suarez, Lopez held the Reds in check after allowing just one other hit and not walking a batter. Tuesday was his first win since Aug. 27 and his first time going more than five innings all year. Despite making nine starts this year, Lopez will likely be used out of the bullpen in the postseason unless it's an emergency situation. The 27-year-old has had a fantastic bounceback season with a 2.98 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB over 57.1 innings.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 5-11, 200 lbs
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
