RHP Lopez called up by D-backs

PHOENIX -- Right-handed pitcher Yoan Lopez, who the D-backs signed out of Cuba prior to the 2015 season for $8.27 million (plus another $8 million in penalties for exceeding their spending pool), was added to the 40-man roster and promoted from Double-A Jackson on Monday.
Lopez was 2-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 45 games for the Generals. He is ranked as the D-backs' No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
It has, at times, been a rocky ride for the 25-year-old, who dealt with performance and maturity issues early in his pro career, but he has seemingly put it together over the past two years.
"I think he's learned how to pitch over the past couple of seasons and has been lights out," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "So he is maturing into what we had hoped and it's a credit to him for all the hard work he's put in.
"How we're going to use him? I'm not sure. We'll try to give him a soft landing, but he's here to contribute, he's here to get the baseball and he's going to go out and get a chance to perform and hopefully get some really big outs for us."

Lopez showed some of his maturity when asked what he expected his role in the bullpen to be.
"I talked to Torey, and my role is going to be to help the team make it to the postseason in whatever shape or form is needed," he said through an interpreter. "And I am confident that we can make it there together and I will be ready to step up as needed, whenever Torey calls upon me."
Moving on
The D-backs suffered three straight late-inning losses to the Dodgers over the weekend and admittedly, they were not easy to get over.
Setup man Archie Bradley, who gave up back-to-back game-winning hits to Matt Kemp, said that his spirits were boosted by several teammates who encouraged him to put it behind him.
For Lovullo, moving past the losses included some silence.
"I didn't probably talk until about midnight [Sunday] night," Lovullo said. "I didn't say one word after the game outside of talking to the media. I got on the plane and I didn't say anything to anybody for most of the night until I got home and eventually, my wife asked if I was going say anything before I went to bed. So, I thought I'd better say goodnight, I love you."
Still the one
Lovullo reiterated Monday what he said in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's loss -- Brad Boxberger is still the team's closer.
Furthermore, he still has confidence in Bradley.
"I want to be as consistent as possible," Lovullo said. "It's not the right time to switch your hands and go all in with something you're not familiar with. I know the guys at the back end of this bullpen very well. I trust the guys at the back end of this bullpen and they're going to continue to get that opportunity."