JORGE LÓPEZ NEWS

Dave Martinez, reliever Jorge López suspended after pitch that cleared benches Both López, who is appealing his suspension, and Martinez, who will miss Washington’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, were...

APRIL 17 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Appealing three-game ban 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 Washingto...

Impact 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.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Former Orioles All-Star Pitcher Ejected in Tense Pirates-Nats Exchange Jorge Lopez nearly beamed Andrew McCutchen in the face.

APRIL 17 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Nationals' Jorge López ejected after throwing pitch near Andrew McCutchen's head, benches clear Jorge López threw a slider high and inside to Andrew McCutchen, who fell to the ground to avoid the ball.

APRIL 17 • NYTIMES.COM

Nationals-Pirates gets heated — and Jorge López gets tossed in loss A night after the Nationals lost Paul DeJong to a broken nose on a HBP, López buzzes Andrew McCutchen and is ejected in a 6-1 loss.

APRIL 17 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Oneil Cruz hits his 1st career grand slam as the Pirates beat the Nationals 6-1

Oneil Cruz hit his first career grand slam to help Bailey Falter and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 6-1

APRIL 17 • Associated Press

Nationals' Lopez ejected after pitch narrowly misses McCutchen's head, benches clear Washington Nationals pitcher Jorge Lopez was ejected from Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after a pitch near Andrew Mc...

APRIL 17 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Tossed from Wednesday's contest Lopez was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact 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 Lopez will face further discipline from Major League Baseball.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Mervis hits a 3-run homer as the Marlins beat the Nationals 11-4

Matt Mervis hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 in the rubber game of the weekend set

APRIL 13 • Associated Press

Returns from illness Lopez (illness) tossed a scoreless inning in his return to the mound Sunday against the Phillies.

Impact 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.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Making appearance Friday Lopez (hip) will make an appearance during Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Coming back from hip issue 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Moves down save hierarchy? Lopez and Jose Ferrer may no longer be Washington's leading closer candidates after Kyle Finnegan re-signed on a one-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com rep...

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy, remains in mix for saves Lopez (groin) completed a live batting practice session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Might get chance to close Lopez (groin) is the only reliever in the Nationals' bullpen with any significant closing experience, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Washington Lopez (groin) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Goes back on IL The Cubs placed Lopez on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right groin strain, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's the same injury he just returned from last week, so evidently Lopez 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.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from IL The Cubs activated Lopez (groin) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Lopez spent the minimum 15 days on the IL with a strained right groin. The veteran reliever had been in the closer mix before getting hurt and should regain a high-leverage role, although Porter Hodge still looks like the better bet for saves in the Cubs' bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return Lopez (groin) has rejoined the team and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list within the new few days, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Lopez will be eligible to be activated beginning Wednesday, so it appears he'll miss only the minimum after suffering a right groin strain. The right-hander put together a stellar month of August (0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and two saves over 10.1 innings) before getting rocked for four runs on four hits in his lone September outing prior to landing on the IL. Lopez should be in the mix for save chances upon his return along with Porter Hodge.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IL with groin strain The Cubs placed Lopez on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right groin strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Lopez had been unavailable to pitch for a stretch recently because of the injury and he was roughed up for four runs in his last appearance Monday. With Lopez out, Porter Hodge has a clearer path to saves in the Cubs' bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in loss Monday Lopez (2-3) allowed four runs on four hits across an inning of relief to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He struck out two.

Impact After starter Jameson Taillon cruised through seven innings to stake Chicago to a 3-0 lead, Lopez let things slip away in the eighth. The veteran righty allowed two home runs, including a three-run shot by Bryan Reynolds, to get charged with his first blown save of the season and third loss. Lopez has still been effective overall with a 3.00 ERA across 51 innings this year, but after struggling mightily in 2023, it's fair to wonder if the 31-year-old is due for some regression down the stretch. Lopez's poor outing Monday should also strengthen Porter Hodge's grip on the closer role, at least for now.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to earn hold Lopez (groin) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn a hold in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nationals. He allowed one walk and struck out one.

Impact Lopez missed eight days due to a groin injury but looked good in his return to the mound. The righty has a stellar 2.34 ERA overall this season and has been even better since making his Chicago debut in late June. Across 23.2 innings with the Cubs, Lopez has turned in a 0.76 ERA and has struck out 26 batters. Porter Hodge earned the save Saturday is likely first in line to close games moving forward, though Lopez figures to be in the mix as well.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to earn hold Lopez (groin) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn a hold in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nationals. He allowed one walk and struck out one.

Impact Lopez, who missed eight days due to a groin injury, looked good in his return to the mound. The righty has a stellar 2.34 ERA overall this season and has been even better since making his Chicago debut in late June. Across 23.2 innings with the Cubs, Lopez has turned in a 0.76 ERA and has struck out 26 batters. Porter Hodge earned the save Saturday and is likely first in line to close games moving forward, though Lopez figures to be in the mix as well now that he's healthy.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could return this weekend Lopez (groin) didn't experience any setbacks following his bullpen session Friday, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury, and his last outing was against the Marlins on Aug. 23, when he struck out two batters in one scoreless inning. There is optimism that the 31-year-old reliever will be ready to pitch during the weekend series against the Nationals. In his 20 games since joining the Cubs in mid-June, Lopez has recorded two saves and two holds with a 0.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 22.2 innings.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth save Lopez earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Marlins, throwing a perfect ninth inning and striking out two batters.

Impact Lopez was brought on to protect a 6-3 lead on Friday and looked great in his fourth save of the season. Lopez has now picked up two of the last three saves for the Cubs and could be looking as the team's best ninth-inning option the rest of the way. The 31-year-old has been lights out since joining the Cubs in June, pitching to a 0.79 ERA over 22.2 innings with his new club.

AUGUST 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE