Call to the pen
Fansided

Chicago White Sox run out of patience with Reynaldo Lopez

By David Hill

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 02: Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Chicago White Sox is pulled from the game against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of the game at Target Field on September 2, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 02: Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Chicago White Sox is pulled from the game against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of the game at Target Field on September 2, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago White Sox are done waiting for Reynaldo Lopez to figure things out, having optioned him to their alternative site.

It was not that long ago that Reynaldo Lopez was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the game. He was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Adam Eaton to the Nationals, although that deal also included Lucas Giolito and Dane Dunning. The hope was that Lopez and Giolito would be a pair of arms that the Chicago White Sox could build around.

While Giolito has been able to live up to his expectations, Lopez has been inconsistent throughout his time in Chicago. With the White Sox contending for a playoff spot, they can no longer wait for him to figure everything out. To that end, Lopez was optioned to their alternate training site on Thursday.

There was a time when Lopez appeared to be developing into the pitcher the White Sox had hoped for. In 2018, he posted a 3.91 ERA and a 1.272 WHiP, striking out 151 batters with 75 walks in his 188.2 innings. However, his 4.63 FIP indicated that he may be due for regression.

light. More White Sox. Giolito throws first no hitter of 2020

That happened immediately beginning in 2019. In his past 193.2 innings, he has posted a miserable 5.53 ERA and a 1.497 WHiP. Lopez led the league with 110 earned runs allowed last season, but had been even worse this year. In his four starts, he managed to make it out of the second inning just twice, and had yet to last longer than four innings.

It will be interesting to see how the White Sox look to utilize Lopez going forward. The future of the rotation appears to be set, especially once Carlos Rodon returns from the Injured List and Michael Kopech is back next year.

Lopez could potentially find himself in the bullpen. He was thought of as an arm that could be moved to relief even as a prospect, as his slider/fastball combination could potentially play up in shorter stints. The White Sox could look to revisit that thought process, especially with his struggles over the past two seasons.

dark. Next. The AL Rookie of the Year race

The Chicago White Sox are in a win-now mode. They can no longer afford to be patient with Reynaldo Lopez.

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