Braves right-hander Reynaldo López leaves the base due to stiffness in his right forearm

“Right now it’s just a tightness in the forearm and we took him in as a precaution,” Snitker said. “I’m glad he said something because you just don’t know about those things.”

López, a 2024 All-Star, allowed three hits in three scoreless innings and struck out two. Three of López’s final five pitches of the game were 95 mph or better, and his final pitch — an 85.7 mph slider to New York’s Brandon Nimmo — was softly grounded to second base.

In his first season of a three-year deal with Atlanta, López has pitched to a 2.06 ERA in 19 starts and 104 2/3 innings. His three scoreless innings against New York on Sunday moved the 30-year-old right-hander into the Major League lead in ERA after exceeding the qualifying standard. To qualify for the ERA title, a pitcher must pitch at least one inning per team game.

López is in his first season as a regular starter since 2020. He struggled in his two previous starts leading up to Sunday’s game, giving up seven runs in 12 innings in consecutive losing games.

After López was eliminated early, four Atlanta relievers limited New York to just two runs and three hits over the final six innings, giving the Braves their second straight win.

“I think it’s great how hard the guys stepped up today,” Snitker said. “They lost their starter and then they came out and everybody answered the call.”

The injury is the latest blow to Atlanta, which has been plagued by injuries this season. Right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider, who finished fourth in the 2023 NL Cy Young voting, underwent surgery on his right elbow and was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 7. Star forward Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered his second season-ending ACL injury in four seasons on May 26. The team is also without stars Michael Harris II (left hamstring strain) and Max Fried (left forearm neuritis), and second baseman Ozzie Albies broke his left wrist a week ago.

“It stinks,” first baseman Matt Olson said. “It feels like you get bad news every week or every other week, so I’m definitely hoping for the best here.”

López is considered everyday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb