The Atlanta Braves made a series of roster moves Tuesday ahead of their late-season push, most notably activating right-hander Reynaldo Lopez from the 15-day injured list after a brief rehab stint.
Lopez returns to bolster a rotation that has been navigating injuries and roster shuffling throughout the second half. Across 24 appearances this season including 11 starts, he has posted a 3.64 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 71 2/3 innings.Â
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His return gives manager Walt Weiss another proven arm as Atlanta works to secure home-field advantage in the National League playoffs.
In a corresponding move, the Braves placed right-hander Bryce Elder on the 15-day injured list, backdated to September 6, after he underwent right knee surgery.Â
Elder had been dealing with the issue for several days and the procedure was necessary to address it properly. Left-hander Bailey Falter was added to the roster to provide additional depth, while right-hander Elieser Hernandez was optioned to the minor leagues to make room.
The #Braves today selected LHP Bailey Falter to the major league roster and designated RHP Elieser Hernández for assignment. The club also returned RHP Reynaldo López from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and placed RHP Bryce Elder on the…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 9, 2026
Falter has struggled in limited big-league action this season, posting a 13.97 ERA across five starts, but he gives Weiss a left-handed option capable of starting or working in relief depending on the situation.
Lopez is the key addition here. He signed a three-year, $30 million extension with Atlanta in November 2024 and has been a reliable member of this staff when healthy. Getting him back with several weeks remaining in the regular season gives the Braves rotation more depth heading into what should be a deep October run.
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