Yoan Lopez

The Braves have acquired right-handed pitcher Yoan Lopez from the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league outfielder Deivi Estrada. Lopez had recently been designated for assignment by Arizona.

Fantasy Impact

Lopez will report to the Braves' Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. He has good velocity but has struggled in most other realms, logging a 6.57 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, and .333 OBA over 13 games (12.1 innings) this year. 2020 was a similarly choppy year for the now-28-year-old, too. Heading the other way is Estrada, who slashed .307/.433/.366 with nine stolen bases through 65 games in the 2019 Dominican Summer League season.

Yoan Lopez picked up the save on Wednesday versus Baltimore, throwing a scoreless ninth to protect the 5-2 Arizona win.

Fantasy Impact

Closer Greg Holland was removed after walking the first two batters of the inning. Lopez's "stuff" doesn't look to be closer-worthy but perhaps he's next in line should Holland ever lose the job.

Yoan Lopez had a second consecutive successful outing Wednesday, striking out two and allowing only two baserunners in three scoreless innings. Manager Chip Hale reportedly had him face stronger opposition intentionally this time around, with Lopez facing - and retiring - Corey Dickerson and Carlos Gonzalez, among others. Lopez, 21, was rated the #7 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization by Keith Law in January. He was signed out of Cuba in the offseason for $8.25M.

Fantasy Impact

Lopez was not expected to make the team but has now impressed Manager Chip Hale in consecutive appearances and already made the first round of cuts. His fastball sits 92-95 (lower end so far this spring), but could play up out of the bullpen, which some scouts feel is his destiny. He is definitely someone to keep an eye out for later in dynasty drafts.