New York Mets relief pitcher Jorge Lopez managed to secure his first save of the season in Monday's 8-7 win over the Braves. Lopez came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by two. He allowed a leadoff double, got the first out on a fly-out, allowed an RBI single, and got the final two outs on a pop-out and fly-out. The typical back-end of the team's bullpen was not available due to a large recent workload, so Lopez was asked to step in. The 31-year-old did have an All-Star season as a closer in 2022 and has compiled a 3.18 ERA this season, but his team context, 6.35 K/9 rate, and 4.76 BB/9 rate limit his fantasy value at this time.

Free-agent right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. The 30-year-old pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles in 2023 and had a poor 5.95 ERA (5.76 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, three saves, 22 walks and 49 strikeouts in 59 innings out of the bullpen over 61 appearances. The 30-year-old was a first-time All-Star the year prior with the Orioles and Twins when he had a 2.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, a career-high 23 saves and 72 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched. If Lopez is able to bounce back in 2024 for the Mets, he'll be a nice late-inning bridge to returning closer Edwin Diaz (knee) alongside setup men Brooks Raley and Drew Smith.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez cleared waivers on Thursday and has elected to become a free agent. Lopez was designated for assignment last Saturday by the Orioles after posting a 5.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 12 relief innings for them down the stretch. Overall in 2023, he went 6-2 with a 5.95 ERA (5.76 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, three saves, 22 walks and 49 strikeouts in 59 relief innings for the O's, Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican reliever just wasn't able to replicate his All-Star campaign in 2022 with the Orioles and Twins, when he had a sharp 2.54 ERA, career-high 23 saves and 72 strikeouts in 71 total innings out of the bullpen.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez was designated for assignment on Saturday. Lopez was traded from the Twins to the Marlins prior to the trade deadline back in July. He proceeded to struggle mightily with Miami and was waived before subsequently being claimed by the Orioles in early September. He is ineligible for the O's postseason roster so this DFA makes sense. Lopez was all over the place this season, compiling a sloppy 6.12 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 47:21 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings of relief between the Twins, Marlins, and Orioles. Baltimore recalled left-handed reliever Bruce Zimmermann in a corresponding move.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed relief pitcher Jorge Lopez off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Saturday. The Marlins will save around $600,000 with the move. Lopez was dealt by the Orioles to the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline in 2022 for, among others, reliever Yennier Cano. The 30-year-old previously served as the Orioles closer last summer before being dealt, but he'll now be in more of a low-leverage bullpen role for the first-place O's. Lopez has had a rough year in 2023 with the Twins and Marlins, posting a 6.13 ERA (5.77 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, three saves, 20 walks and 35 strikeouts in 47 relief innings. He was even worse with the Marlins in 12 appearances, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) while walking nine and striking out eight in 11 2/3 frames.

The Minnesota Twins activated right-hander Jorge Lopez (mental health) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned pitcher Brent Headrick to the minors in a corresponding move. Lopez hasn't pitched since June 15 after taking a few weeks off for mental-health reasons. The 30-year-old reliever has had a down season in 2023 a year after making his first All-Star squad while piling up a career-high 23 saves. Before leaving the team for a little bit, Lopez had posted a 5.00 ERA (6.22 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, three saves, 10 walks and 22 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched over 29 appearances out of the bullpen for the Twins. He'll continue to serve in middle relief in Minnesota, giving him little fantasy appeal.

Minnesota Twins reliever Jorge Lopez struck out two over a perfect inning to earn the save during Thursday's 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres. Lopez bounced back on Thursday after being charged with a blown save in Wednesday's loss. He needed 15 pitches to close out the Padres to earn his third save of the season. The right-hander is 3-for-4 in save opportunities with a 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 13: 4 K: BB across 17 innings in 2023. Lopez should see an occasional save chance behind the Twin's primary closer, Jhoan Duran, and should be rostered in most leagues.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Jorge Lopez picked up a save in a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. Lopez fired a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one, needing just eight pitches to send KC down in order. The Twins utilized Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning on Opening Day back on Thursday but Duran reportedly felt stiff on Saturday after sleeping "weirdly". The Twins opted to give Duran the day off, paving the way for Lopez to see his first save chance of the young season. Duran should see the majority of the save chances in Minnesota but Lopez could also work into the mix throughout the year. Duran remains the reliever to roster in fantasy.

Minnesota Twins closer Jorge Lopez picked up his 23rd save of the season in Monday's 4-2 win over the Red Sox. Lopez came in to close things out with a two-run lead and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. Lopez has been both a true All-Star and a fantasy All-Star this season with both the Orioles and now the Twins, converting 23 of 29 save opportunities with a 1.82 ERA. He remains a solid fantasy option down the stretch with the Twins still fighting for a playoff spot.

Minnesota Twins closer Jorge Lopez picked up his 21st save of the season in Monday's 4-2 win over the Royals. Lopez came in to pitch the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff double, got the first out on a strikeout, allowed a single, and ended the game with a groundball double play. The 29-year-old earned an All-Star appearance this season with the Orioles and has picked up where he left off with his new team. Lopez has converted 21 of 27 save opportunities with a 1.99 ERA and should be in fantasy managers' lineups at all times.

Minnesota Twins reliever Jorge Lopez recorded his 20th save of the season Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers and his first since being traded from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The first-time All-Star is having a career year after switching to the bullpen this season and owns a 1.64 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 55 strikeouts over 49.1 innings. The save signals that Lopez will maintain his closer role, leaving the rest of the high-leverage arms in the Twins bullpen, including Jhoan Duran, in a setup role.

The Minnesota Twins are finalizing a deal to acquire closer Jorge Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for left-hander Cade Povich, right-handed reliever Yennier Cano and more prospects from the Complex League, according to sources. The Twins had been using a committee approach to the ninth inning this year, but Lopez will presumably step right in as the club's new closer after the trade. The 29-year-old right-hander was excellent with Baltimore this year, posting a 1.68 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP with 19 saves, 54 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 48 1/3 innings. Lopez's fantasy value increases with the deal to the first-place Twins. Back in Baltimore, Felix Bautista should be first in line for save chances with Lopez no longer around.

Baltimore Orioles closer Jorge Lopez secured his 19th save of the season in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Rays. Lopez came in to pitch the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single, but then got three outs on two forceouts and a groundout. Lopez and the O's in general have been fantasy surprises this season. He has now converted all but four save opportunities with a 1.55 ERA and a 10.10 K/9 rate. Lopez should continue to be a fantasy asset in all leagues given how well he has pitched, especially if the O's continue to play competitive baseball.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez locked up his 17th save of the year Tuesday, closing out a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. The victories just keep on coming for the Orioles, and so in turn do the saves for Lopez, who has recorded six already in July. He allowed no baserunners in an inning of work while striking out one. Lopez not only has a desirable role in Baltimore, but he's been excellent by every measure with a 1.70 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings across 39 appearances. He's been one of the best waiver wire additions of the season.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez has struggled recently, but stepped up and delivered on Thursday. The 29-year-old worked a scoreless ninth inning in the 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. This outing notched his 15th save of the season and his second save in as many days. Lopez has thrown nearly 60 pitches over the last four days. That being said, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Orioles give him a day off. Possibly, Felix Bautista or Dillon Tate get the ball in the ninth inning on Friday. Fantasy managers should check back before the game starts to see if Lopez is available.

Baltimore Orioles closer Jorge Lopez was victimized by a Minnesota Twins walk-off hit once again on Saturday. He entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning as the Orioles had a 4-2 lead and he wound up giving up four hits and two earned runs while recording just one out. The Twins won the game on a walk-off single from rookie Jose Miranda. Lopez has now blown saves on two straight days, taking losses on both occasions. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed confidence in Lopez after Friday's blown save, but Lopez's leash is most certainly shortening right now. If you're in a league where saves are scarce and you've got an open roster spot, consider adding Felix Bautista, who appears to be the most likely candidate to usurp Lopez for ninth inning duties.

Baltimore Orioles closer Jorge Lopez suffered his third blown save of the year on Friday as he allowed a two-run walk-off home run to Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. After the game, Lopez expressed disappointment that he allowed the home run -- the first homer he'd allowed over 37 innings this year. However, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stated that Lopez had nothing to be down about. Hyde praised the work Lopez had done as the team's primary closer this year and specifically said, "We get a save situation, he'll be in there." The 29-year-old veteran has 13 saves on the year to go along with a 1.22 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. His closer job certainly doesn't appear to be in jeopardy at this point.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez closed out the team's 6-4 win over the New York Yankees on Monday to earn his fifth save of the year. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk and no hits. Lopez blew each of his previous two save opportunities, so it was encouraging to see the team go back to him on Monday. Felix Bautista, who earned a pair of saves while Lopez was on the bereavement list earlier this month, was utilized in the seventh and eighth innings in this game. He's the biggest threat to Lopez's ninth inning role, but it looks as if he'll primarily be a setup man for now.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jorge Lopez allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three across one inning during Thursday's 9-6 win over the New York Yankees. He entered the eighth frame to protect a one-run lead. The 29-year-old struck out Aaron Hicks to end the inning. He walked Isiah Kiner-Falefa to start the inning and allowed the tying run on a DJ LeMahieu single. He was charged with his second blown save of the season. The right-hander escaped the loss after the Orioles rallied back in the ninth inning to tack on three runs to win in the game. Lopez is 4-for-6 in save chances as Baltimore's primary closer with a 1.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts over 19 innings in 2022.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez is expected to return from the bereavement list on Friday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. The 29-year-old has been away from the team since Tuesday. Lopez has been operating as the team's primary closer this year, converting five of his six save opportunities while pitching to a 1.13 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. While he has been away from the team, the Orioles have gone 2-1 and Felix Bautista has converted two straight save opportunities. Bautista looks like he's the insurance policy behind Lopez, but we'd expect Lopez to be back in the primary closer role upon his return.