Otto Lopez (finger) back after two-game absence

The Marlins were held scoreless until Lopez delivered a bases-loaded single with two outs in the eighth. They would go on to win it in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth. Lopez is coming off a brutal August, but he’s hitting .363 (16-for-44) to begin September.

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.

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 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.

Lopez took a groundball off his finger on Saturday and has had a little discomfort holding a bat. His finger is taped, and he said he could be available off the bench on Sunday, which makes us believe this should not be a long-term situation. Javier Sanoja will start at shortstop in his place while Leo Jimenez starts at third base and will bat sixth for the Fish against Brewers’ left-hander Robert Gasser.

Per Marlins Communications, Lopez became the first player since Jose Altuve in 2014 to record 40 multi-hit games before the All-Star break. The breakout shortstop is hitting a league-best .345 with less than a week to go before the midsummer classic. He has increased his bat speed this season while squaring up the ball more than in the past, significantly raising his expected batting average, according to Statcast. There might be some overperformance in his stat line, but he’s been an improved player for a Marlins club that is now nine games over .500.

It makes back-to-back games where Lopez has picked up three hits and a homer. The 27-year-old also doubled and drew a walk, and in the process saw his slash improve to a remarkable — and totally unexpected — .346/.376/.520 on the season. Even if there was to be some substantial regression after the break, what Lopez has done over these first 90 games cannot be ignored. He deserves more respect for his first three months.