Atlanta Braves receive positive injury report on starting pitcher

The Atlanta Braves are getting a major health breakthrough. All-Star starter Reynaldo Lopez’s MRI has come back clean, according to a report from Justin Toscano of the AJC.

“Reynaldo Lopez’s MRI was clean,” Toscano wrote on X. “He’s day-to-day. The Braves haven’t even put him on the IL yet. Brian Snitker said he doesn’t believe the Braves would even turn him off.”

So it looks good for Lopez to make his next scheduled start, or at least miss only one rotation and not be absent for an extended period of time.

The news took much longer than expected to arrive, but it’s here and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.

With all the injuries the Braves have had, even in the past week, this is a huge relief. They don’t have to make any rash decisions before the trade deadline or stress about who’s available at the right time in Triple-A to take the mound in his place.

This doesn’t mean they won’t take action by the deadline, they will still… maybe looking for an arm eventually. However, the addition would be to enhance rotation rather than replace a key arm.

So they’re getting some good news on Lopez, along with the recent news that Max Fried could also be returning soon – who is eligible to be activated on Friday.

Unless there is a buyout at the deadline, the rotation should look like this once everyone is healthy and well:

Older potential starter for Tuesday

Braves pitcher Bryce Elder appears to be the starting prospect for Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee against the Brewers.

Elder was reportedly working in the outfield at the club prior to Monday night’s game.

He was scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. he was scratched which led to speculation that he would return to Atlanta to help the injured players.