In the sun-soaked fields of Mesa, Arizona, Jacob Lopez is gearing up for a comeback that has fans buzzing with anticipation. Last season, Lopez was on a trajectory that had him in the conversation for top rookie pitcher honors in MLB. His 2025 campaign was something special until an unfortunate elbow injury cut it short.
Before that fateful day in Seattle, Lopez was dazzling on the mound. In his first 13 starts, he boasted a stellar 7-2 record with a 2.17 ERA, striking out 85 batters over 70 2/3 innings.
This performance placed him among the league's elite, with the third-lowest ERA in that stretch. His prowess even caught the attention of Team Mexico, who reached out about his interest in the World Baseball Classic.
However, August 24 was a turning point. Facing the Mariners, Lopez struggled, allowing nine runs and six walks in just two innings.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the young lefty, who was riding a wave of momentum. "Getting hurt at that time was really frustrating," Lopez reflected.
"But I learned a lot from it."
Determined to bounce back, Lopez dedicated his offseason to rehab in Mesa, working closely with the A’s training staff. His commitment paid off.
In a recent Cactus League game against the Royals, Lopez showcased his pre-injury form, delivering four hitless innings with seven strikeouts. "It felt good to be back to normal," he said, noting the stark contrast to his spring debut against the Dodgers.
Lopez’s arsenal was on full display, featuring his deceptive fastball that averaged 90.3 mph, enhanced by his unique arm slot. He recorded 10 whiffs, with his four-seamer proving particularly effective. "Today was probably one of his better days," said manager Mark Kotsay, praising Lopez's command and pitch variety.
With 36 of his 52 pitches finding the strike zone, Lopez demonstrated mastery over his full repertoire, including his four-seam, slider, cutter, changeup, and sinker. "It was just about getting healthy," Lopez explained. "Today felt amazing to get my five pitches back to where they were last year."
As the regular season approaches, Lopez is expected to be a key figure in the A’s starting rotation. He’s eager to tackle what feels like unfinished business from last year.
"I pay attention to what the media says," Lopez admitted. "If I can keep being more consistent and our other guys do what they’re supposed to do, we can help support those bats and be a really good team."
For Lopez, the journey from injury to recovery has been a testament to resilience and determination, setting the stage for what could be an exciting season ahead.