Lopez (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit over 1.2 innings of relief. He struck out one.
After Jose Ferrer loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning and the Nationals were nursing a 3-1 lead, Lopez was brought in to escape the jam and allowed only one of the inherited runners to cross the plate. The right-hander then ran into his own trouble in the eighth after Jordan Westburg led off the frame with a triple and came around to score, tagging Lopez with his first blown save of the year. He got bailed out when Washington broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth. Lopez has struggled to handle a high-leverage role to begin the season, posting a 9.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB through 10 innings with two holds and zero saves in addition to Wednesday's win.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Suspension reduced to two games
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Lopez had his three-game suspension reduced to two games Saturday following his appeal to MLB, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Lopez was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pirates after inciting a bench-clearing brawl when he threw near Andrew McCutchen's head in the seventh inning. Lopez was initially handed a three-game suspension by MLB, but he was able to reduce that to two games, meaning he'll be available out of the Nationals' bullpen for the second leg of Sunday's doubleheader against the Rockies.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Appealing three-game ban
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MLB announced Thursday that Lopez has been suspended three games for intentionally throwing at the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen in Wednesday's 6-1 loss, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Lopez will appeal the suspension and will remain available for Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh.
After hitting Bryan Reynolds with a pitch with two outs in bottom of the seventh, Lopez threw near McCutchen's head three pitches later and incited a benches-clearing brawl. Lopez was ejected from the contest, as was Reynolds for his role in the ensuing brawl. The right-hander was the only player issued a suspension for the incident, however, though Nationals manager Dave Martinez was also handed a one-game ban that he'll serve Thursday. Until his hearing takes place or unless he drops the appeal, Lopez will remain eligible to appear in games for Washington.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Tossed from Wednesday's contest
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Lopez was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Lopez hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch in the seventh inning and threw a pitch near Andrew McCutchen's head during the following at-bat. Lopez and McCutchen then had a heated exchange of words, which led to both benches clearing and the reliever's removal from the game. It remains to be seen whether he will face further discipline from Major League Baseball.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Returns from illness
Rotowire
Lopez (illness) tossed a scoreless inning in his return to the mound Sunday against the Phillies.
Lopez was not available to pitch for the Nationals' first two games of the season due to illness, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. He feels good now, though, needing just five pitches to dispose of the Phillies in order during his appearance Sunday.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Making appearance Friday
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Lopez (hip) will make an appearance during Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Lopez hasn't pitched since March 10 due to a left hip issue but has been cleared to return to game action. Barring a setback, he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. Lopez is projected to serve as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Coming back from hip issue
Rotowire
Lopez hasn't pitched since March 10 due to a left hip issue but will throw a light bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The hope is that Lopez will be ready to pitch in games in a few days, and if that happens, he should have time to get ready for Opening Day. If healthy, Lopez will serve in a setup role ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Moves down save hierarchy
Rotowire
Lopez and Jose Ferrer are likely no longer Washington's leading closer candidates after Kyle Finnegan re-signed on a one-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Manager Dave Martinez labeled Lopez and Ferrer as the prime options to close early in camp, but the return of Finnegan, who recorded 38 saves with a 3.68 ERA last season before being non-tendered in November, significantly changes the situation. Lopez had a resurgent 2024 campaign between the Mets and Cubs, finishing with a 2.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 52 regular-season appearances, and he also had some closing experience with the Orioles in 2022. Still, Finnegan will likely have the upper hand after filling the role the past couple years.
Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Healthy, remains in mix for saves
Rotowire
Lopez (groin) completed a live batting practice session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Lopez is facing no limitations this spring after a right groin strain kept him on the injured list for the final week of the 2024 season. Before getting shut down, Lopez accrued a 2.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB over 53 innings between stops with the Mets and Cubs, with his strong finish to the season earning him a one-year, $3 million deal in free agency with the Nationals. With Washington non-tendering last season's closer, Kyle Finnegan, earlier in the offseason, the back end of the bullpen is unsettled, but manager Dave Martinez reiterated earlier this week that Lopez and Jose Ferrer will likely be the leading candidates to pick up saves if the Nationals don't bring aboard a more proven closer before Opening Day. "Ferrer will get an opportunity to close as well," Martinez told Zuckerman. "Right now, we're going to play matchups. But if Lopez is available, he can do it." With Ferrer being the left-handed option of the two, the right-handed Lopez could have the inside track to see a higher volume of save opportunities.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Might get chance to close
Rotowire
Lopez (groin) is the only reliever in the Nationals' bullpen with any significant closing experience, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.
Washington non-tendered Kyle Finnegan in November, leaving the team without a clear favorite for the ninth inning. Lopez signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Nats in January, and while the fact that he's pitched for five different teams over the prior three seasons isn't encouraging, his 23 saves between the O's and Twins in 2022 could give him a leg up on winning the closer job in spring training. Derek Law, Jose Ferrer and Colin Poche also figure to be in the high-leverage mix.
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Nationals' Jorge Lopez: Headed to Washington
Rotowire
Lopez (groin) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
After being unceremoniously cut by the Mets midway through last season, Lopez signed with the Cubs and immediately went on one of the best statistical runs of his career, turning in a 2.03 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 26.2 innings with Chicago. The 31-year-old reliever still holds a 5.25 ERA over his nine-year career, but his recent performance and a lack of depth in Washington's bullpen could allow him to appear regularly in high-leverage situations.
The Cubs placed Lopez on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right groin strain, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Lopez returned from the same injury just last week, so he evidently must have suffered a setback. The injury ends what was a nice bounce-back season for Lopez, who collected a 2.89 ERA and 50:19 K:BB over 53 innings covering 52 appearances for the Mets and Cubs. He'll be a free agent this offseason.
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