Javier

Lopez

Lopez adjusted his stance and narrowed his feet on the pitching rubber during a side session Wednesday with encouraging results. Lopez has nasty stuff and was impressive last year, but sports a 9.00 ERA at the moment. He’ll improve, but there’s no reason to own him.

This isn’t a Brooks Kieschnick type of thing. It’s about not using up an extra pitcher on a team that doesn’t have a clear closer candidate. Manager Clint Hurdle might tinker like this: An example scenario for the unusual move would be as follows: The Giants enter the ninth inning trailing the Rockies by a run with Barry Bonds scheduled to lead off, followed by righty Edgardo Alfonzo and lefty J.T. Snow. Lopez, a lefty, would start the frame, then move to left field after facing Bonds, leaving a righthander like Adam Bernero to take on Alfonzo. After that at-bat, Lopez and Bernero would switch spots. Did you get that? Don’t worry - it has zero fantasy meaning, except that the Rockies consider Lopez a possible closer candidate.

Since Lopez made the team, the Rockies will have to send the Red Sox a player to complete the trade made 11 days ago. It’s expected that relief prospect Ryan Cameron will join Boston.

Lopez goes to open up a spot for Jason Johnson, tonight’s starter. He’ll return to his lefty specialist duties later on, though it’s more obvious than ever now that the Red Sox made a mistake trading David Riske for him.

It’s surprising that the White Sox still haven’t given Lopez a chance, especially given that he also pitched well in spring training. The left-hander has allowed just two runs in 32 innings for Charlotte.

Lopez returns to the team that made him a Rule 5 pick in Dec. 2002. He’s expected to join the Red Sox immediately and give the club a left-handed reliever for the first time since Lenny DiNardo joined the rotation. It’s possible that he’ll be a pretty good specialist, but Riske is still a more valuable reliever. The ex-Indian never even got a real chance in Boston.

Lopez will take the roster spot of Jermaine Van Buren who is expected to be returned to Pawtucket. Lopez will give the Red Sox a lefty in the bullpen which they haven’t had during the Yankee series.

In his lone appearance, Lopez was partially responsible for blowing Sunday’s game against the Yankees, as he walked the only batter he faced. Still, it was a situation he never should have been in. He’ll be back in September.

We just can’t wait see Javier Lopez throw to Javy Lopez. However, the left-hander might only be up until a starter is needed on Tuesday.

Casilla started the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead and allowed Jason Bay to reach on an infield single. With the left-handed Lucas Duda pinch hitting, manager Bruce Bochy turned to Lopez to face him. Lopez retired Duda and walked Kirk Nieuwenhuis before allowing a game tying single to Josh Thole. Sergio Romo eventually got out of the inning, but got into trouble of his own in the tenth before being bailed out by Clay Hensley. We still think Casilla is the first choice for saves, but it’s clear that Bochy isn’t afraid to play the matchups.