The Atlanta Braves have finally received some good news on the injury front. Reynaldo López’s MRI came back clean and the team is hoping that a stint on the injured list won’t be required. There is a chance that he could make his next scheduled start.
Reynaldo López’s MRI was clean. He’s day to day. The Braves haven’t even put him on the IL. Brian Snitker said he doesn’t believe the Braves would even shut him down.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 29, 2024
Forearm soreness already felt better today, Snitker said. Said no timetable, but they hope to avoid putting López on 15-day IL, said there’s no reason to do that for now given improvement since yesterday.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 29, 2024
Lopez left Sunday’s game against the Mets after just three innings due to soreness in his right forearm. Brian Snitker later announced that Lopez was making the trip back to Atlanta and would undergo an MRI. Obviously, everyone feared the worst but it appears that the Braves may have dodged a huge bullet.
Bryce Elder likely starting Tuesday
The Braves still haven’t announced their starter for Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee but all signs are pointing to it being Bryce Elder. Elder was scratched from his scheduled start with Gwinnett Sunday. If that wasn’t clue enough, Elder is with the club in Milwaukee.
Bryce Elder is here. More reason to think he’ll be tomorrow’s starter
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 29, 2024
Elder has made eight starts with the major league club and doesn’t have much to show for it with a 6.35 ERA in 39 2⁄3 innings. He is however carrying a 4.64 FIP and a 4.24 xFIP which suggests that there has been some underperformance. He could again play a big role down the stretch as the Braves deal with multiple injuries to the rotation.
