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.

The New York Mets designated right-hander Jorge Lopez for assignment on Thursday and recalled left-hander Danny Young from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Lopez's actions after being ejected from Wednesday's game, rather than his performance on the mound, have cost him a spot on the team's 40-man roster. The 31-year-old veteran threw his glove into the crowd after his ejection on Wednesday in the loss to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The nine-year veteran had been decent out of the bullpen for the Mets this year, posting a 3.76 ERA (4.65 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP, two saves, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 26 1/3 relief innings. An All-Star as recently as 2022 with the Orioles and Twins, Lopez should draw some attention on waivers in the next couple of days with 29 career saves.

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.