AJ Minter returns from IL; Nicky Lopez reports to Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves are getting some reinforcements.

After going a few days without a lefty in the bullpen after Taylor Hearn was optioned to Gwinnett on Saturday (and later traded), the Braves can put another southpaw in the bullpen with today's activation of reliever AJ Minter.

The #Braves today returned LHP A.J. Minter from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list, after optioning RHP AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game.

Additionally, the club reported INF Nicky Lopez to Atlanta and…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 31, 2023

Minter, 29, has been one of Atlanta's most-heavily used relievers early in the year - he was the closer while Raisel Iglesias was out to begin the season, and pitched eleven back-to-backs with six multi-inning appearances. After some notable blowups and blown saves (and Iglesias's return), Minter moved down into a lower-leverage role during the end of May before returning to become one of Atlanta's primary setup men for late June and early July.

His appearance on July 8th, where he faced only one batter before leaving the game holding his pectoral muscle, resulted in him missing three weeks with what the team announced as "left shoulder inflammation".

To make room on the roster for Minter, starter AJ Smith-Shawver was optioned to AAA Gwinnett following Sunday's start, where he pitched five innings against Milwaukee with four hits, four walks, and three runs. Atlanta won the game 8-6 in a no-decision for AJSS, and he returns to Gwinnett to continue his development.

Additionally, infielder Nicky Lopez has reported to the team after last night's trade with Kansas City. Lopez, 28, is taking the place of veteran utilityman Charlie Culberson, who was designated for assignment. The last time Culberson was DFA'd by Atlanta, back in June, he explored free agent options before signing a minor league deal with Atlanta and later came back up to the active roster a week later.

Lopez batted .300 and was the #1 infield defender in baseball for Kansas City in 2021, but slumping offensive production, related to his struggles with fastballs, have relegated him to a part-time role with the Royals this season. Coming over to Atlanta as a bench piece, the hope is hitting coach Kevin Seitzer can work with him and fix whatever swing issues have caused the bat to slump while he provides high-quality depth across the infield.

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