Jacob

Lopez

Lopez walked one, but 36 of his 52 pitches today were strikes. Given his success for the A’s last year (4.08 ERA in a rotation that came in at 4.85 overall, 113/37 K/BB in 92 2/3 IP), it was surprising that Lopez entered spring training without a rotation spot locked up. Still, he’d seem to be in good shape now, and he could remain useful in AL-only leagues.

He also labels Luis Morales a “rotation lock,” with J.T. Ginn and Jack Perkins as longshot contenders for the fifth starter role. Lopez had a 4.08 ERA and a 113/37 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings in 2025 and could be a streamable pitcher in the right matchups in 2026.

Lopez, whose 2025 ended in late August due to a flexor strain, was down about one mph on the whole today, though he was actually throwing his slider 1.2-mph harder than last season. His performance last season should make him a lock for the rotation if healthy, and it seems for now that he is.

No word yet on when Lopez might be able to come back and what role he could return to, but it’s nice to see that the left-hander is feeling better and has a chance to return this season. We would not recommend waiting for him in fantasy leagues.

Lopez will be racing the clock to make it back to the Athletics’ pitching mix in some capacity after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his left elbow earlier this week. The 27-year-old southpaw was putting together a legitimate breakout season with a strong 4.08 ERA and 113/37 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings (21 appearances, 17 starts) in his Athletics debut. There’s a chance he makes it back in late September, but his season is probably over, which means he can be dropped in shallow mixed leagues.

Lopez has been shut down from throwing indefinitely. There’s a strong possibility that his season is over with only five weeks left in the year, but Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters there’s a chance he’s able to return by the end of the year. The 27-year-old, who will be officially placed on the injured list later this week, was putting together a breakthrough campaign with a solid 4.08 ERA and 113/37 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings (21 appearances, 17 starts) in his Athletics debut. There should be a more definitive update on his long-term outlook once he’s cleared to resume throwing. The major concern here is that flexor strains tend to be a precursor to more significant elbow issues.

Lopez was lit up for nine runs on six hits and six walks over his two-plus innings against the M’s on Sunday and came out of the start complaining of tightness in his forearm. Expect the A’s to take a cautious approach here with their 27-year-old southpaw, so a trip to the injured list wouldn’t be surprising. Fantasy managers should be sure to have a contingency plan in place if relying on Lopez for next week.

Yikes. Lopez also walked six batters in the abbreviated outing while striking out two. Cal Raleigh slugged a pair of two-run homers against him, one in each of the first two innings. The 27-year-old southpaw then returned for the third inning and the first four hitters that he faced all reached before he was mercifully removed — and all inherited runners ultimately scored. Lopez got six whiffs on 65 pitches in the ballgame, posting a CSW of 23 percent. He’ll try to forget that this start ever happened as he brings a 3.88 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 113/37 K/BB ratio (92 2/3 innings) into Saturday’s showdown against the Rangers.

Lopez stranded two runners in the first inning, then gave up an unearned run on an error and a double in the second. Brooks Lee later took him deep for a solo homer in the fourth inning. It would be the first earned run allowed by Lopez in his last five starts. Ryan Jeffers then added a run with a solo shot in the fifth. Lopez would complete a sixth inning, ending his day with eight strikeouts. The 27-year-old left-hander will take an impressive 3.28 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 111/31 K/BB ratio across 90 2/3 innings into a start against the Mariners in Seattle on Sunday.

Lopez has been on an absolute tear on the mound. Tuesday marked his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. He blanked the Rays over seven innings, scattering four hits with no walks while striking out nine batters. The 27-year-old left-hander will look to keep it going when he takes a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 103/30 K/BB ratio across 84 2/3 innings into a start against the Twins in Minnesota next Tuesday.