Reynaldo Lopez takes huge step toward making Braves return

This year has been filled with ups and downs for Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez began the 2026 season in the Braves starting rotation, but he was moved to the bullpen after his fifth start of the season so he can work on his command amid a brutal stretch. The Braves then brought him back to the starting rotation on the 26th of June and he made six consecutive starts before succumbing to injury.

Lopez, in those aforementioned six starts from June 26 to July 26, allowed 12 runs in 28 innings of work, which is good for an ERA of 3.85. In his most recent start, he threw 5.2 shutout innings against the Orioles before exiting the contest in an eventual 3-2 win for the Braves in extra innings.

But now, Lopez is working his way back from the knee injury that’s been keeping him out of play since then. In fact, the Braves starter made a rehab start on Thursday and threw five shutout innings down in Triple-A, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six during his time on the mound.

As per Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game, the Braves starter threw 93 pitches, 53 of which went for strikes.

Solid line for #Braves Reynaldo Lopez in his third rehab start. He threw 93 pitches (53 strikes). Pitch count is up, so he should be back soon. https://t.co/wCtvo2MrZz

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) September 4, 2026

Lopez should be on the cusp of making a return to the big leagues, and the Braves most certainly would want to get him some reps up there before the postseason begins. In 24 games this year (11 starts), Lopez has recorded an ERA of 3.64 in 71.2 innings of work.

If anything, the Braves may want to deploy Lopez off the bullpen when the postseason begins. He has plenty of experience as a relief pitcher, and his numbers from the pen this year (3.27) are solid enough. He can also go multiple innings, so perhaps Atlanta would want to use him as someone who could put out early-game fires for the team.

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