Braves rotation is reset as Weiss moves López to bullpen and says more changes could be coming

ATLANTA (AP) — Right-hander Reynaldo López, who opened the season as Atlanta's No. 2 starter, is moving to the bullpen as Braves manager Walt Weiss shuffles his rotation for a series against Detroit.

More changes could be coming, with right-hander Spencer Strider possibly making his season debut in this weekend's series at Colorado after opening the season on the injured list because of a strained oblique.

Left-hander Martín Pérez (1-1, 2.70 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday night's series opener against Detroit. Rookie JR Ritchie, who won in his major league debut on Thursday at Washington, is scheduled to start Wednesday. Right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95) is set for Thursday's start.

Weiss said he expects López (1-1, 3.74) to return to the rotation after he works out some mechanical flaws in his delivery. Weiss said López is a reliever “for now.”

“We see him as a starter,” the skipper said. "He’s working through some things, delivery-wise, that type of thing, and he’s getting right there. And when he’s right, he’s one of our best starters. He was our No. 2 coming out of camp, even with some of the issues at the end of spring training.

"So we see him as a starter long term, but right now, trying to iron some things out. He’s going to help us out of the 'pen in the short term.”

Ritchie allowed only one run over seven innings in a 7-2 win over Washington. He was impressive in spring training and at Triple-A Gwinnett before his promotion. With Chris Sale (5-1, 2.31) locked in as the staff ace and Elder and Grant Holmes throwing well in the first month, there could be difficult rotation decisions ahead for Weiss.

Right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach, who was expected to be one of the team's top starters, and Hurston Waldrep, who was a candidate for the rotation, could return in June following elbow surgeries.

Weiss said there could be more changes ahead for the rotation, starting with the weekend series at Colorado.

“We don’t know what (the rotation) will be there,” Weiss said. "So it is series to series with the rotation right now.”

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

CAGLIARI, Italy (AP) — Senegalese teenager Paul Mendy scored twice in his first start for Cagliari, including the opener after 16 seconds, to put the home side on its way to a vital 3-2 win over Atalanta in Serie A on Monday.

It was a dream full debut for the 19-year-old, who joined Cagliari last year from Senegal side AS Bambey.

He made five appearances from the bench, all of them in March and April, and started the home match against Atalanta with an immediate impact.

Mendy put Cagliari ahead with a header after 16 seconds and added a second after eight minutes.

He was withdrawn through injury at halftime, by which time the score was level after two goals from Gianlucca Scamacca.

But debuting Mendy paid dividends for Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane. Mendy’s replacement Gennaro Borrelli restored the home side’s advantage two minutes into the second half after great work by Michael Folorunsho.

The result was crucial for Cagliari, which rose eight points clear of the relegation zone.

It was just as important for Atalanta, which took a hit to its European hopes next season. With four games left it was seventh, seven points behind Roma and Como.

Later in the night, Lazio and Udinese drew 3-3 in an entertaining mid-table clash at Estadio Olimpico that featured great goals.

Kingsley Ehizibue’s stunning strike after 17 minutes gave visiting Udinese the lead but the German’s first goal of the season was canceled out early in the second half by a similarly impressive strike from Luca Pellegrini.

Spanish winger Pedro put Lazio ahead for the first time 10 minutes from time when he curled in a lovely shot, but goals in the 86th and 93rd from Arthur Atta swung the win Udinese’s way.

Until Daniel Maldini popped up with almost the last kick of the match to equalize for Lazio and ensure its unbeaten home run ticked on to five games.

The point lifted Lazio above Bologna into eighth.

Udinese remained 11th.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Udinese's Idrissa Gueye, left, and Lazio's Oliver Provstgaard in action during the Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Udinese in Rome, Italy, Monday April 27, 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Lazio's Pedro celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Udinese in Rome, Italy, Monday April 27, 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Cagliari's Paul Mendy celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Cagliari and Atalanta, in Cagliari, Italy, Monday, April 27. (Gianluca Zuddas/LaPresse via AP)

Cagliari's Paul Mendy celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Cagliari and Atalanta, in Cagliari, Italy, Monday, April 27. (Gianluca Zuddas/LaPresse via AP)