Jorge López (baseball)

For other people named Jorge López, see Jorge López (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is López and the second or maternal family name is Ramos.
Jorge López
López with the Mets in 2024
Washington Nationals
Pitcher
Born: (1993-02-10) February 10, 1993 (age 31)
Cayey, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 29, 2015, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record24–43
Earned run average5.25
Strikeouts468
Saves31
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place 2017 Los Angeles Team

Jorge Yabiel López Ramos (born February 10, 1993) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and was an All-Star in 2022.

Professional career

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers selected López in the second round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of the Caguas Military Academy in Caguas, Puerto Rico.[1] He signed with the Brewers and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers. He spent 2012 with the Dominican Summer League Brewers and Gulf Coast Brewers and 2013 with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. In 2014, López pitched for the Brevard County Manatees. In July he was selected to appear in the All-Star Futures Game.[2][3] In 2015, he played for the Biloxi Shuckers of the Double–A Southern League.[4] He had a 12–5 win–loss record, a 2.26 earned run average (ERA), and 137 strikeouts in 143+1⁄3 innings pitched for Biloxi. López was named the Brewers' minor league pitcher of the year and Southern League's most outstanding pitcher.[5]

After Biloxi's 2015 season ended, the Brewers promoted López to the major leagues.[4] He made his major league debut on September 29, 2015.[6] In 2016, López began the season with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League, but struggled, pitching to a 6.81 ERA in 17 games started. He was demoted to Biloxi.[7] López pitched for the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In the 2017 season, López returned to Biloxi. He pitched to a 4.61 ERA as a starting pitcher, and then became a relief pitcher, and had a 3.62 ERA in that role. He made one appearance for the Brewers in 2017, pitching two innings and allowing one run on four hits on June 29.[8]

During the 2017–18 offseason, López pitched for the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League.[8] López began the 2018 season with Colorado Springs. The Brewers again promoted him to the major leagues on April 11.[9] He made one appearance, on April 16, before being returned to Colorado Springs on April 17.[10]

Kansas City Royals

López with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2018

On July 27, 2018, López, along with teammate Brett Phillips, was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Mike Moustakas.[11] On September 8, in his seventh major league start, López flirted with a perfect game as he retired 24 consecutive Minnesota Twins batters in order over eight innings.[12] In the ninth inning, López surrendered a leadoff walk to Max Kepler and a hit to Robbie Grossman before walking off the mound at Target Field to a standing ovation. He became the first pitcher in Royals history to bring a perfect game into the ninth inning, besting Bret Saberhagen's seven-inning attempt vs. the Seattle Mariners. He was designated for assignment on August 7, 2020.

Baltimore Orioles

On August 9, 2020, the Baltimore Orioles claimed López off of waivers.[13] López ended the 2020 season with a 6.69 ERA and 28 strikeouts to partner with a 2–2 record over 10 appearances.[14] On August 21, 2021, after going 3–14 with a 6.35 ERA in 25 starts, Lopez was moved to the bullpen.[15]

In 2022, the Orioles shifted López into the closer role.[16] After pitching to a 1.62 ERA with 17 saves in 40 games during the first half of the season,[17] López represented the Orioles at the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[18]

Minnesota Twins

On August 2, 2022, the Orioles traded López to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league pitching prospects Cade Povich, Yennier Canó, Juan Núñez, and Juan Rojas.[19]

On January 13, 2023, López agreed to a one-year, $3.525 million contract with the Twins, avoiding salary arbitration.[20]

Miami Marlins

On July 26, 2023, López was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Dylan Floro.[21] In 12 appearances for the Marlins, he struggled immensely to a 9.26 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 11+2⁄3 innings pitched. On September 2, he was optioned to the Triple–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp after Johnny Cueto was activated from the injured list.[22]

Baltimore Orioles (second stint)

On September 2, 2023, López was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[23][24] In 12 appearances for Baltimore, he posted a 5.25 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. On September 30, López was designated for assignment by the Orioles.[25] He cleared waivers and elected free agency on October 5, 2023.[26]

New York Mets

On December 14, 2023, López signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the New York Mets.[27] On May 29, 2024, López was ejected in the eighth inning of a 10–3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers by the third base umpire. While walking off the field, he threw his glove into the stands and untucked his shirt. In a postgame interview, López seemingly called the Mets "the worst team in all of fucking MLB."[28] He was designated for assignment by the Mets the next day.[29] On June 5, López was released by the team.[30] In 28 games for the Mets, he compiled a 3.76 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 26+1⁄3 innings pitched.[31]

Chicago Cubs

On June 11, 2024, López signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[32] He made three scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, striking out one batter in 2+2⁄3 innings. On June 28, the Cubs selected López's contract, adding him to their major league roster.[33] On November 1, the Cubs elected López to become a free agent.[34]

Washington Nationals

On January 11, 2025, López signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals.[35]

Personal life

López and his wife, Karla, have a son, Mikael. Their son suffers from Familial Mediterranean fever since birth,[8] and is waiting[as of?] for an intestinal transplant.[36][37] They had to leave their town of Cayey due to Hurricane Maria in 2017.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Snyder, Audrey. "Crew snags Puerto Rico's top arm on Day 2". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "Lopez to represent Crew in Futures Game". Milwaukee Brewers. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Fox Sports (July 13, 2014). "Futures Game another step to majors for Brewers prospect Lopez". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  4. ^ a b McCalvy, Adam (September 28, 2015). "Jorge Lopez thankful to debut for Brewers". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (September 28, 2015). "Brewers prospect makes MLB debut with son on his mind". Archive.jsonline.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (September 30, 2015). "Jorge Lopez earns victory in first big-league start". Archive.jsonline.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  7. ^ McCalvy, Adam (January 20, 2016). "Brewers prospect Jorge Lopez strong in winter". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d Haudricourt, Tom (March 5, 2018). "Brewers pitching prospect Jorge Lopez faces a challenge in 2018". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  9. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (April 11, 2018). "Brewers call up Jorge Lopez, designate J.J. Hoover for assignment". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  10. ^ Lesniewski, Kyle (April 17, 2018). "Milwaukee Brewers reinstate Christian Yelich from disabled list, option Jorge Lopez". Brew Crew Ball. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (July 27, 2018). "Brewers trade for Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas; Travis Shaw will move to second base". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "Jorge López: "Me sobrecogió la emoción"" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  13. ^ Meoli, Jon (August 9, 2020). "Orioles claim pitcher Jorge López off waivers from Kansas City Royals". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  14. ^ "Jorge López 2020 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Trezza, Joe (August 21, 2021). "Orioles shift struggling López to bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Melewski, Steve (September 2, 2023). "He's back: O's claim 2022 All-Star closer Jorge López on waivers". MASNsports.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  17. ^ "Jórge Lopez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status, & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  18. ^ Pollizze, Joey (July 18, 2022). "From DFA to ASG, López an inspiring tale of perseverance". MLB.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "Orioles trade All-Star closer Jorge López to the Minnesota Twins". Baltimore Sun. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Dierkes, Tim (January 14, 2023). "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "Twins, Marlins swap relievers Lopez and Floro". ESPN.com. July 26, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "Marlins' Jorge Lopez: Sent to Jacksonville". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Rill, Jake (September 2, 2023). "O's bring back Jorge López on waiver claim from Marlins". MLB.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  24. ^ "Baltimore Orioles claim reliever Jorge Lopez off waivers". ESPN.com. Reuters. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Orioles' Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  26. ^ "Jorge Lopez: Clears waivers, becomes free agent". cbssports.com. October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  27. ^ "Mets agree to deal with reliever Jorge López". MLB.com. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  28. ^ Puleo, Mark; Sammon, Will. "Mets will DFA López after ejection, throwing glove in stands". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  29. ^ Sammon, Will (May 30, 2024). "Mets meltdown sees Jorge López's tenure end hours after hurling glove into stands, ripping team". The Athletic. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Adams, Steve (June 5, 2024). "Mets Release Omar Narvaez, Jorge Lopez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "Jorge López Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  32. ^ McDonald, Darragh (June 12, 2024). "Jorge Lôpez Agrees To Minor League Deal With Cubs". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  33. ^ McDonald, Darragh (June 28, 2024). "Cubs Select Jorge López". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  34. ^ Altman, Evan (November 1, 2024). "Kyle Hendricks and Jorge López Elect Free Agency, Caleb Knight Outrighted -". www.cubsinsider.com.
  35. ^ "Nationals Sign Jorge Lopez". MLB Trade Rumors. January 11, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  36. ^ "Infant son awaits intestinal transplant". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 30, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  37. ^ "Futures Game rep Lopez keeps son on his mind". Milwaukee Brewers. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2014.