If there’s one golden rule in baseball, it’s to not overreact to spring training numbers. MLB veterans are notorious for easing into form during March. They like working on mechanics, experimenting with pitch sequences, or just getting their reps in. But sometimes, even with that in mind, you catch something that makes you pause—and for Atlanta Braves starter Reynaldo López, those warning signs are starting to flash a little brighter.
A 2.08 ERA That Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
López’s spring stat line looks fine—maybe even impressive on paper. A 2.08 ERA across four starts? That’s not the kind of number that screams “panic.” But when you look a little deeper, the cracks begin to show.
Five total strikeouts in 13 innings? That’s a red flag for a guy whose calling card in 2024 was his ability to overpower hitters and rack up Ks in big moments.
Even more concerning is the drop in velocity. López’s fastball consistently sat in the mid-90s last season and occasionally touched the upper 90s. This spring he’s lived in the low 90s.
Hitting 95.5 mph has been more of a rare sighting than a regular occurrence. You have to take notice when a power pitcher starts to lose that top gear—especially after offseason shoulder concerns.
Command, Comfort, and the Shoulder Question
It’s not just the zip on his fastball that’s off—it’s his overall comfort on the mound. López hasn’t looked as sharp or in control as other Braves starters.
That dominant, attack-the-zone presence he brought in the first half of 2024 has been missing. There’s a visible hesitancy in how he’s pitching, and for a guy trying to transition into a bigger workload as a starter again, that’s not ideal.
The shoulder injury that nagged him late last year also looms large here. He’s downplayed it, and the Braves haven’t said anything publicly that would raise alarms. But when a pitcher is struggling with command, losing velocity, and there’s a history of shoulder discomfort? That raises concerns.
The Braves Need Reynaldo López at Full Strength
Atlanta’s rotation depth is solid but fragile. With Spencer Strider out until May and A.J. Smith-Shawver still settling into the big leagues, the Braves need López to be a stabilizing force early on.
He doesn’t have to replicate his All-Star season right out of the gate, but he does have to miss bats and eat innings—and that’s tough to do without premium velocity or sharp command.
There’s always a chance this is just a spring training tune-up, and López is holding something back. Maybe once the adrenaline hits and the regular season lights go on, the fastball ticks up, and the rhythm returns.
But if the early outings in April look anything like his March performances, we’ll have to acknowledge the signs were already there. And if López can’t hold his spot in the rotation, the Braves might be scrambling sooner than expected.
