Reynaldo López's Velocity Dips as Braves Right-Hander Labors in Final Spring Start

The late-spring setback heightens concern about his readiness following last year's shoulder shutdown.

Overview

López was pulled in the fifth inning after giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings.
His four-seam fastball hovered around 89 mph with reduced velocity on secondary pitches, far below his prior average near 95 mph.
He recorded one strikeout, fanning Byron Buxton in the first inning, before Minnesota capitalized with hard contact in the fifth.
The outing doubled as a meaningful evaluation against a Twins lineup that resembled its expected Opening Day group.
It marked a second straight shaky late-camp start, a pattern the Braves will monitor as the regular season begins.