Braves Place Reynaldo López on Injured List with Left Knee Inflammation

Reynaldo López Placed on Injured List After Pregame Knee Inflammation

The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander Reynaldo López has been placed on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, retroactive to July 30, according to team statements. López experienced the inflammation during pregame warmups prior to a scheduled start against the Washington Nationals, forcing a late scratch from the lineup.

Martín Pérez took over the mound in López’s absence, delivering six strikeouts over seven scoreless innings against the Nationals. López underwent an MRI following the scratch. The results of that test remain unknown, and details regarding the exact nature of the injury and a recovery timeline are expected in a few days, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.

López has split time between roles this season. After operating out of the bullpen from late April to late June, he transitioned back to the rotation since June 26th. Across 28 innings in that starting stretch, he holds a 3.86 ERA alongside solid strikeout and walk metrics. Over 71 2/3 total innings this year, López sports a 3.64 ERA with a 21.6% strikeout rate and a 9.5% walk rate. While those figures sit below his dominant 2024 campaign—when he posted a 1.99 ERA across 135 2/3 innings—they provide stability as a back-end starter.

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Rotation Depth Tested by Injuries to Spencer Strider and Reynaldo López

The loss of López depletes an Atlanta pitching staff already operating without Spencer Strider, who continues to face a lengthy absence. Strider was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 17 following right elbow inflammation diagnosed on June 13. While cleared of ligament damage and having avoided surgery, Strider has yet to begin a throwing rehab assignment despite an initial four-week recovery projection. According to Bowman, Strider is unlikely to return this season, and his locker was reportedly cleared out during the Braves’ previous homestand.

To cover the immediate rotation gap, the Braves recalled right-hander JR Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the game against Washington. Ritchie, selected No. 35 overall in the 2022 draft, has experienced mixed results during his debut campaign. Following these roster moves, the active rotation behind Chris Sale and Grant Holmes consists of Bryce Elder, Pérez, and Ritchie.

Sale anchors the staff with a 2.08 ERA that ranks second in the National League behind the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski. Meanwhile, Holmes, Elder, and Pérez maintain ERAs under 4.00 over 90 or more innings, though their strikeout totals lag behind league averages. Holmes has seen his strikeout rate drop to 19.6% in 2026 after posting an above-average 25.0% mark last year, while both he and Elder have battled home run vulnerabilities.

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Ha-Seong Kim Concludes Triple-A Rehab While Infield Decisions Loom

On the offensive side, infielder Ha-Seong Kim has finished his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett and is expected to be activated shortly by the Braves. Kim signed a one-year, $20MM deal with Atlanta during the offseason but suffered a hand injury after falling on ice a month later, delaying his season debut until May 12. He subsequently returned to the injured list in early July due to a right middle finger laceration, limiting him to 82 plate appearances and a .068/.171/.068 batting line.

During Kim’s absence, Jim Jarvis stepped in as the primary shortstop, producing a .278/.333/.417 slash line with a 107 wRC+ across 81 plate appearances since July 2. According to Bowman, Jarvis will retain the primary shortstop role moving forward, leaving Kim ticketed for a backup infield position. With the club also exploring shortstop options on the trade market, Kim faces limited opportunities to re-establish regular playing time prior to reaching free agency this offseason.

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Roster Additions and Upcoming Trade Deadline Pressures

Addressing outfield depth, the Braves acquired Lane Thomas alongside pitcher Bailey Falter from the Royals. Falter holds a 3.35 ERA at Triple-A this year but has seen minimal major league action due to left elbow inflammation and an outright assignment in June, positioning him strictly as a depth option rather than an immediate difference-maker.

With pitching injuries mounting across the roster and the current group lacking a definitive No. 2 starter behind Sale for a postseason series, the front office faces heightened pressure ahead of the 5pm Central trade deadline. Recent reports connect Atlanta to potential trade targets such as Casey Mize and Freddy Peralta as the organization evaluates upgrades for both the rotation and outfield.