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Diamondbacks Prospect Yoan Lopez Leaves Team Possibly for Good

By Josh Schwam

Mar 30, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Yoan Lopez (32) throws in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Yoan Lopez (32) throws in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Yoan Lopez has left the team again due to his emotional issues. This time, it may be for good.

After leaving his minor league team again, Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching prospect Yoan Lopez is having some serious emotional issues. The Cuban defectant had to live in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, leave multiple family members, and finally go 90 miles over ocean water in raft. It is highly likely that his emotional issues stem from this experience.

Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart wants Lopez to feel comfortable in America, “We’re trying to get him back on track,” Stewart said. “Emotionally, he just has not smoothed out.”

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Lopez’s major league timeline includes both bumps and one happy moment. He was signed in January of 2015 for $8 million. In July 2015, he left his minor league team in Mobile, AL, and was later tracked down by the team in Florida. There was no indication from both Lopez and the Diamondbacks back then about emotional issues, but now it is clear that is why Lopez left the team then.

The most recent time Lopez was seen on the mound was Wednesday when he gave up five runs in less than six innings pitched. He took his car and left before the game was over, but Stewart called him and convinced him to come back and rejoin the team. According to media reports, Lopez was highly considering retiring after he left the game.

Lopez is one of the Diamondbacks’ top prospects. However, his 2016 campaign has not been that great. He has a 5.52 ERA in 62 innings with 32 walks and 36 strikeouts. In his career, he has a 4.89 ERA in 116 innings in the minor leagues. Arizona has said they still hope for the young Lopez to turn into a top of the rotation pitcher.

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Lopez has had to deal with more negative emotions in two years than anyone should have to endure in their life. Stewart and the Diamondbacks are working hard to attempt to right the ship for a promising young prospect, while hoping that Lopez can have the support network he needs to work through his issues.

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