What putting López on the IL means for the Braves

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ATLANTA -- Maybe the timing isn’t perfect, considering how the Braves lost momentum by dropping the final two games of this past weekend’s series against the Marlins. But given that Atlanta’s goals extend beyond just reaching the postseason, this was the right moment to shut down Reynaldo López.

The Braves made the move on Monday afternoon, when they put López on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation. This move was anticipated, given the hurler hadn’t even thrown a bullpen session since exiting his start against the Mets on July 28 with discomfort in his forearm.

Really, the only surprise was that left-handed reliever Dylan Lee wasn’t recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Lee was optioned on Sunday to create a roster spot for Max Fried (nerve issue in left elbow) to return from the injured list. The only way the valuable bullpen piece can return within 15 days is if he replaces somebody put on the IL.

Instead, the Braves opted to promote Bryce Elder to start Tuesday’s series opener against the Brewers. Chris Sale and the rest of the rotation will be pushed back one day.

López’s move was made retroactive to Saturday. This means he would be eligible for activation on Aug. 18 -- two days before the beginning of a key three-game home series against the Phillies.

Having López start one of those games against Philadelphia is intriguing. Providing him a chance to rest for a few weeks and prepare for the stretch run was truly appealing. There have been some signs of fatigue as he progresses through his first full season as a big league starter since 2019.

López’s stats

First 14 starts: 1.70 ERA, .215 batting average against, .586 OPS allowed; 25.6 percent strikeout rate; 8.5 percent walk rate

Past five starts: 3.20 ERA, .278 BAA, .809 OPS; 19.1 percent strikeout rate; 9.1 percent walk rate

López hadn't completed more than 66 innings in any of the past four years. He has totaled 104 2/3 frames this season and would be on track to finish with approximately 140 innings if he returns around Aug. 20. The club will also want to plan for him to throw 20-plus innings in the postseason when assessing what is best for him.

Will the Braves miss López over the next couple weeks?

Elder, Sale (Wednesday) and Charlie Morton (Thursday) will all be starting with two extra days of rest against the Brewers this week. Spencer Schwellenbach and Fried will also have extra rest when they make their respective starts at Coors Field this weekend. The only question is whether Grant Holmes will also start one of those road games against the Rockies.

If the Braves want to stick with a six-man rotation, AJ Smith-Shawver (Atlanta's No. 1 prospect, No. 65 overall) or Ian Anderson could enter the mix during next week’s series in San Francisco.

But is that extra day of rest worth enough to warrant what would be another hard roster decision to create a roster spot for Smith-Shawver, Anderson or another potential starter? That’s debatable. It’s also important to remember that the bullpen is down an arm whenever a six-man rotation is being utilized.

Regardless of whether there is an attempt to stick with a six-man rotation, the Braves have enough arms to get by for another couple weeks without López. More importantly, giving the right-hander additional rest will allow him to regain the arm he had while producing a 1.88 ERA through the season’s first half.

If Sale, Fried and López aren’t strong entering the playoffs, then the Braves may find it difficult to make a deep run.