Lopez (finger) not in Marlins lineup on Sunday

It sounds like the 25-year-old infielder was going to elect free agency anyways if the Marlins tried to send him outright to Triple-A Jacksonville, so they’ll just set him free instead. Jiménez slashed a miserable .199/.306/.259 in his 194 plate appearances with the Marlins. If he latches on elsewhere, it will almost assuredly have to be on a minor league pact.

He’s been on the roster almost all year outside of a small stint on the 7-day concussion injured list. It’s been a disastrous run out for the Marlins as he’s hit .199/.306/.259 in 194 plate appearances after coming over from the Blue Jays in the big Dub Gleed trade. The 25-year-old could find himself claimed on waivers.

The Marlins entered the ninth inning facing a 2-0 deficit but unloaded on Max Kranick and Tom Cosgrove for six runs to turn the game around. Lopez’s 400-foot two-run shot off of Cosgrove was the cherry on top of the dramatic comeback. He finished the day 1-for-5 and is now hitting .305/.340/.444 with 10 homers and 61 RBI on the season.

Lopez is up to 27 thefts on the season and is a near-lock to reach the 30-steal plateau for the first time in his career. He’s cooled off considerably at the plate since last month’s All-Star break, but he’s on pace to deliver borderline first-round fantasy value this season, hitting .306 with 77 runs scored, nine homers, 59 RBI and 27 steals in 561 plate appearances.

While Conine has been a fixture in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup since returning from the injured list, he’ll get a day off in this one with left-hander Nick Lodolo toeing the slab for the Reds. Leo Jimenez will start in his place at the cold corner and will bat sixth for the Marlins.

Lopez drove in two runs on a bases-loaded single in the third inning. He later added a single and a run scored in the fifth before reaching for a third time on a walk in the seventh. The 27-year-old infielder is having an excellent season, hitting .317/.350/.470 with nine homers, 70 runs scored, 53 RBI, and 23 steals across 494 plate appearances.

McAdam spoke with a league source that indicated the chances of a deal to send Lopez to Boston are “dead” and it appears highly unlikely the Marlins will trade him. It’s purely speculation, but the Red Sox figure to be extremely reluctant to move either of their top prospects in shortstop Franklin Arias, who is tearing the cover off the ball since being promoted to Triple-A Worcester recently, and righty Anthony Eyanson, who struck out a season-high 10 batters at Double-A Portland on Friday night. The Red Sox have been linked to multiple shortstops ahead of next week’s trade deadline, but it seems highly unlikely that Lopez is going to Boston, or anywhere else at the moment.

Of course, Mead is sidelined for the next 6-8 weeks with a fractured wrist, so that plays a part in it. All of Trevor Story (sports hernia), Marcelo Mayer (forearm stress reaction), and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm stress reaction) are on the injured list as well, so infield depth is a need. The Red Sox have been linked to Otto Lopez, which would require a sizable offer that “would have to start with” Boston’s second-ranked prospect RHP Anthony Eyanson.

Lopez is back at shortstop and hitting leadoff following a brief two-game absence due to right ring finger inflammation. The 27-year-old’s fascinating career odyssey has taken an unexpected turn towards superstardom this season as he’s slashing .335/.368/.505 with 61 runs scored, nine homers, 46 RBI and 18 stolen bases across 419 plate appearances through 97 games.

Lopez takes a seat for the second consecutive contest with inflammation in his right ring finger. The positive news for the Marlins, and fantasy managers, is that initial X-rays came back negative and he doesn’t appear to be facing an extended absence. The 27-year-old middle infielder has been an unexpected breakout sensation, delivering first-round fantasy value this season, slashing .335/.368/.505 with 61 runs scored, nine homers, 46 RBI and 18 stolen bases across 419 plate appearances through 97 games. It’ll be Javier Sanoja taking over at shortstop in his place on Monday night.