The Atlanta Braves have some big decisions looming as the team approaches the end of the season. Right now, the focus will be on which starters will end up on the postseason roster. Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle have been the most dependable. After that, it's anyone's guess how things will go on a daily basis. That's not reassuring for the team or the fans.
Reynaldo López could be a factor simply due to the fact that he's had some playoff experience. The only problem is that he's been very unreliable this season. His velocity has dipped considerably, and he really hasn't been the same since his fight with Jorge Soler where Walt Weiss may have saved his life.
Reynaldo López is nearing his return to the mound, but his role remains undecided
On the whole, Lopez's numbers haven't been terrible, with a 3.64 ERA, 29 walks, and 66 strikeouts over 71.2 innings. The main issue the righty has faced is giving up homers. López has allowed 10 long balls this season, and that's not something teams can afford in the playoffs.
López has been on the IL since August 2 with right knee inflammation. However, he's working his way back and made his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett. In his most recent start, he tossed five scoreless innings with two walks, two hits, and six strikeouts. He threw 93 pitches with 53 of them being strikes. It's pretty clear the Braves want to keep him stretched out as a rotation option. With the recent struggles of AJ Smith-Shawver, Atlanta could relegate him to the bullpen and put López back in the rotation.
The bullpen needs some help, and AJSS has really only had success with two of his pitches. It could make sense to slot him into a long relief role. However, there's a case for keeping López in that role, since he's struggled to go deep into games.
It's certainly not the place the Braves wanted to be in. They really needed to do more at the deadline to address their starting pitching. Now, they have to hope the roster they've constructed can help make a deep postseason run.
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