SO SAD: It took a devastating injury for Braves to make move fans have been begging for….
The Atlanta Braves recently made a roster move that fans had been pleading for, but it took a significant and unfortunate injury to bring it to fruition. Reynaldo López, a key figure in the Braves’ starting rotation, was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. This came as a blow to both the team and fans, as López had been having an outstanding season, recording one of the lowest ERAs among MLB starters.
López’s injury became apparent when he experienced a sudden drop in velocity during a game against the Washington Nationals. He went from throwing 95 mph fastballs to only 89 mph, which immediately raised red flags for the Braves’ staff and medical team Following the diagnosis, López was placed on the injured list, sidelining him at a critical point in the season as the Braves push toward the playoffs.
In the wake of this unfortunate news, the Braves turned to a solution fans had been clamoring for: the promotion of relief pitcher Daysbel Hernández. Hernández has been lighting up the minor leagues and had brief but impressive stints in the majors this season.
In 10 appearances, he allowed only two runs over 11 innings, and in the minors with Gwinnett, he recorded a 2.59 ERA over 41.2 innings Fans had been vocal in their desire to see Hernández play a larger role, especially given the Braves’ occasional bullpen struggles this season.
Hernández’s promotion was seen as a much-needed infusion of talent into a bullpen that has been shaky at times. Atlanta has dealt with inconsistency in middle relief, and Hernández’s strong numbers both in the minors and majors offered hope for stabilization. His call-up is expected to give the Braves more flexibility, particularly in the middle innings, which have often proven to be challenging for the team.
However, López’s injury casts a shadow over the team’s prospects as they prepare for the postseason. He had been a pillar in their rotation, logging over 128 innings this season—more than double his total from the previous year.
His dominance on the mound had made him a candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, and his absence leaves a significant void. The Braves are hopeful that López’s injury will not sideline him for an extended period, but losing such a vital piece of their rotation, even for a few weeks, is a significant setback.
One of the longer-term options the Braves are considering is calling up former Rookie of the Year candidate Ian Anderson, who has been solid in Triple-A Gwinnett with a 3.54 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 38 innings Anderson has experience in high-pressure situations, having been part of the Braves’ rotation during previous playoff runs. His return could be a crucial factor in keeping the Braves competitive during López’s absence.
Beyond the pitching adjustments, the Braves also made a roster move by adding infielder Cavan Biggio, who was recently signed by the team. Biggio’s role might seem minor compared to the bullpen shakeup, but his versatility could provide the Braves with additional depth as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
Ultimately, while the injury to López forced the Braves’ hand, fans are hopeful that the long-desired promotion of Hernández will bolster the bullpen at a critical juncture.
The Braves’ front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, has been under pressure to make moves to improve the team’s pitching depth, and this injury may have finally pushed them to make the changes fans had been begging for Despite the tough break, there is optimism that the Braves can still maintain their playoff push, especially if López returns healthy in time to make an impact.
