Jorge López's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent relief pitcher Jorge Lopez has signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Washington Nationals. Lopez began his 2024 campaign with the New York Mets but was eventually cut after 26 innings. He then finished his campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he logged a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters during this stint and only allowed eight free passes. The right-hander generated a solid .220 xBA and a .3.59 xERA, placing him in the 76th and 68th percentile, respectively. With Kyle Finnegan still on the free agent market, the Nationals lack a proven ninth-inning option. If Lopez performs well early on, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role in this bullpen.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (groin) was activated from the injured list on Wednesday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since the beginning of September and should return to a high-leverage role in the Cubs bullpen. Before the injury, Lopez carried a strong 2.42 ERA and 1.21 WHIP since the beginning of July and tallied two saves in August. However, while he was sidelined, Porter Hodge emerged as the ninth-inning option in the Northside and has tallied four saves since August 20. Fantasy managers looking to bolster their save count should look to add Lopez this weekend, as he could be in the mix for ninth-inning duties across the final week of the regular season.

Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez (groin) has rejoined the team and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran hurler is recovered from a strained right groin and will rejoin Chicago's bullpen this week. There isn't much time left in the 2024 regular season, but the Puerto Rican pitcher could be in the mix for saves for the Cubbies down the stretch. Lopez has posted a solid 3.00 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, four saves, 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 51 combined innings this year with the Cubs and New York Mets. He's been even better with Chicago, posting a 2.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and two saves in 24 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers still fighting for a title and in need of saves might want to look to Lopez if he's available.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (groin) could return to Chicago's bullpen this weekend, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury since Aug. 23 but recently completed a bullpen that went well. The 31-year-old has been fantasy relevant in his stint with Chicago, pitching to a 0.79 ERA in 22 2/3 innings. His return will be very welcomed by both fantasy managers and Cubs fans alike. Although Chicago is likely out of the National League Central race, they're five games back of a wild-card spot, and a reliable arm like Lopez will help their outside chances. Fantasy managers that have been holding Lopez out of their lineups need to ensure he's back in as soon as he's announced on the active roster. With Chicago's next five games against the subpar offenses of the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates, Lopez will likely be used often when Chicago has a lead.

Veteran reliever Jorge Lopez earned his first save for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, preserving a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cubs signed Lopez after he was released by the New York Mets last month, and he has been one of their best arms out of the bullpen since that move. The veteran now has a win and a save in his last 15 appearances, sporting a .53 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 17 innings over that time. With Hector Neris struggling in the closer role and having blown a save on Friday, perhaps Lopez gets more opportunities to save games moving forward for the 61-63 Cubs, who are fighting for their playoff lives in the National League Central.