NICKY LOPEZ NEWS

Three hits, steal in win Lopez went 3-for-4 with three RBI, a run scored and a steal in Monday's victory over the Yankees.

Impact Lopez has been on a tear since joining Atlanta, going 7-for-10 with eight RBI through his first four games. Overall, he's slashing .241/.342/.329 with one homer, 24 runs scored, 21 RBI and five steals across 200 plate appearnces between Atlanta and Kansas City. While Lopez has mainly played a utlity role with Atlanta so far, he could see an extended run at second base with Ozzie Albies (hamstring) going on the IL.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes most of Saturday's start Lopez went 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and five RBI in a 21-3 rout of the Mets during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Impact Getting the start at shortstop and batting ninth, Lopez not only socked his first homer of the season in the ninth inning off Danny Mendick, he took the mound himself in the bottom of the frame and walked a batter over a scoreless inning of relief. Lopez's only other action so far for Atlanta since being acquired at the trade deadline was an appearance as a pinch runner Tuesday, so despite this impressive effort, at-bats will likely be few and far between down the stretch for the 28-year-old infielder.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: Utility infielder Nicky Lopez, in his first... - The Athletic Utility infielder Nicky Lopez, in his first start for the Braves, went 4-for-6 with a homer, double and five RBIs in a 21-3 rout of the Mets...

AUGUST 12, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Royals trade versatile Lopez to Braves KANSAS CITY -- The Royals have traded infielder Nicky Lopez to the Braves for lefty reliever Taylor Hearn, the team announced Sunday afterno...

JULY 30, 2023 • MLB.COM

David O'Brien: The Braves traded for backup middle infielder... - The Athletic The Braves traded for backup middle infielder Nicky Lopez from K.C. in exchange for LHP Taylor Hearn, who struggled mightily in his Braves d...

JULY 30, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Dealt to Atlanta Lopez was traded from Kansas City to Atlanta on Sunday in exchange for Taylor Hearn.

Impact Lopez recorded double-digit steals in the past two seasons, but he's had a slow start to the 2023 campaign, hitting .210 with 18 runs, 13 RBI and four steals over 67 games. The 28-year-old has defensive versatility that makes him a solid utility man, but he'll likely need to contribute more at the plate if he hopes to carve out playing time with a contending Atlanta club.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up steal Lopez went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 8-5 extra-inning win over the Twins.

Impact The steal was Lopez's first since May 29. He's got decent speed, though he's had trouble getting on base lately, as he's hitting just .143 over 10 contests since the All-Star break. Lopez lacks an everyday place in the lineup, instead serving as depth in the infield and left field. He's at a poor .210/.322/.280 slash line with four steals, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored, five doubles and three triples through 67 contests, and he's yet to hit a home run this season.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time trending down Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Impact Lopez will sit for the fifth time in six games and appears to be the odd man out of the lineup for Kansas City in the wake of Edward Olivares' recent return from the injured list. Considering that Lopez is slashing .194/.237/.250 thus far in July, the Royals likely won't go out of their way to include him in the lineup.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fills in for resting Garcia Lopez will start at third base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Lopez will stay in the lineup for the fifth time in six games, this time filling in for a resting Maikel Garcia at third base following a pair of starts at second base and left field. The 28-year-old owns an unremarkable .233/.281/.300 slash line thus far in July, but he could continue to see steady at-bats nonetheless while the Royals are without Edward Olivares (oblique).

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in four Lopez went 2-for-5 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Impact Lopez tied his career-high with four RBI after he had a two-run double in the fourth followed by run scoring single and fielder's choice. Though he's only had 144 plate appearances this year, Lopez currently leads the Royals in on-base percentage (.355) and sports a career-best 14 percent walk rate. He's primarily only in the lineup against righties and is now up to a slash line of .222/.355/.308 with seven extra-base hits, 11 RBI, 14 runs and a 19:26 BB:K.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty Lopez isn't in the Royals' lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Impact With southpaw Julio Urias set to return from his hamstring injury Saturday, the lefty-hitting Lopez will remain in the Royals' dugout to begin the game. Matt Duffy will fill in at second base and bat sixth.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Lopez (hand) is starting at second base and batting ninth Friday against the Dodgers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Lopez suffered a bruised hand after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday and sat out Thursday's game. Now, he'll return for Friday's series opener with Los Angeles and look to keep things going with a .600 OBP across his last four games.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Thursday's lineup Lopez (hand) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Guardians.

Impact Lopez was lifted from Wednesday's contest against Cleveland after being hit in the right hand by a pitch. X-rays came back clean, but it's no surprise he's not in there for this one. Samad Taylor will play second base and Matt Duffy will be at third.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Has bruised right hand Lopez was removed from Wednesday's game with a right hand contusion.

Impact Lopez had to be removed from Wednesday's contest after taking a pitch to the hand, and he's now officially listed as day-to-day. It's possible the Royals hold Lopez out of the lineup Thursday, though it likely depends on how the 28-year-old infielder is feeling. Lopez is slashing .128/.277/.179 since the beginning of June.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pulled after HBP Lopez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Guardians after getting hit by a pitch, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact The pitch hit Lopez's hand/wrist, and he was replaced at second base by Samad Taylor between innings. The Royals will take a closer look at Lopez and should provide more details relatively soon, but Lopez should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Sunday's lineup Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

Impact Lopez started the past two games and will hit the bench after going 1-for-6 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored. Samad Taylor will man the keystone Sunday for Kansas City.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Breather Wednesday Lopez is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest with the Tigers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Lopez will take a seat after he went 1-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts while starting the first two games of the series with Detroit. Matt Duffy will replace him at second base and bat cleanup in the series finale Wednesday.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws third straight start Lopez will start at third base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Lopez will stick in the lineup for the third straight game after he reached base five times in the final two contests of the Royals' series with the Angels over the weekend. While Mike Massey (hand) is on the injured list, Lopez could get the chance to re-establish himself as a lineup regular for Kansas City, though the newly recalled Samad Taylor will likely challenge Lopez for playing time.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Responds with four-hit game Lopez went 4-for-5 with one run scored and one steal in Monday's 7-0 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Since returning from the injured list, Lopez has operated almost exclusively as a defensive replacement behind Maikel Garcia. Monday's start marked Lopez's first since May 22, and e made the most of his opportunity by notching the second four-hit game of his career. However, the 28-year-old may have to deliver a few more performances like this before he's awarded a full-time role again.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Losing work to Maikel Garcia Lopez remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact He'll be on the bench for the fourth time in five games and looks to have moved into a utility infielder role. Maikel Garcia will pick up another start at third base Sunday and appears to have eclipsed Lopez on the depth chart after going 8-for-16 with three doubles and a pair of stolen bases over his past four games.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against lefty again Lopez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Impact After returning from the 10-day injured list Monday and going 1-for-3 with a triple, a walk and a run scored, Lopez has been left on the bench for two straight contests. Both of those absences have come against left-handed pitching, however, so the lefty-hitting Lopez could still be on track to fill a strong-side platoon role now that he's healthy again.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Lopez was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Royals on Monday.

Impact Lopez has been out of commission all month following an appendectomy. He'll see some starts between second and third base for the Royals but offers very little with the bat.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab assignment Tuesday Lopez (appendicitis) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact Lopez will likely need a handful of games or more to get back into game shape after missing close to two weeks with appendicitis. The infielder should be back with the Royals early next week if there are no setbacks in his rehab action.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to start rehab next week Lopez (appendicitis) is expected to start a rehab assignment with the Royals next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Lopez didn't travel with the team during the team's road trip. The infielder will likely need a handful or so of games in his rehab assignment with a chance to return to the infield for Kansas City near the end of May.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE