ATLANTA — The Braves faced a reliever on July 31 who threw 37 pitches and got a five-out save, including 23 pitches that hummed above 99 mph, as the team lost 4-1 to the Los Angeles Angels.
Right-hander Reinaldo López was signed by the Atlanta Braves on Monday to a three-year, $30 million free-agent deal that includes a fourth-year option.
Despite his remarkable performance as a reliever for the last 4 1/2 months of the season with the Chicago White Sox, Angels, and Cleveland Guardians (who claimed him off waivers in August), López was able to return to his starting role with the Braves, which he held until the end of the 2021 campaign.
The fiercely hurling Dominican, who the Braves said they’ll wait to decide where to employ, will train as a starter this winter and get stretched out during spring training. As a reliever, Lopez, 29, is primarily known for his fastball and powerful slider; but, when starting, he also uses a change-up and curveball. Teams expressed interest in him for both positions, and he is eager to pitch for a group that, in his words, is focused only on winning.
Through an interpreter on Monday, López stated, “I always looked at (the Braves) and knew there was a competitiveness, a great vibe and atmosphere of wanting to win.” “Everyone I spoke with, including my friends and inner circle, had nothing but positive things to say about the organization, so when my agent mentioned there was a chance, I thought, ‘Let’s take it.'”
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