From DFA to ASG, L¨®pez an inspiring tale of perseverance
Motivated by family, righty resurrects career as Orioles' closer
Joey Pollizze
Jorge L¨®pez will make his first All-Star appearance this season, representing the Baltimore Orioles, and no one's happier to make it to the Midsummer Classic than L¨®pez.
He gets the chance to represent his team, Puerto Rico and his family, three things that mean the most to him and have had an impact on his winding career path.
"This is a dream come true," the right-hander said. "Puerto Rico has given me so much, and I can¡¯t even describe the feelings and emotions. I feel for my family, they¡¯ve been through all these years with my struggles and ups and downs. So, this is a good way to recognize them and be thankful to them."
The 29-year-old pitcher went from being designated for assignment in 2020 to one of the game¡¯s most trusted closers just two years later.
How did he do it?
L¨®pez -- selected in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Brewers -- has had a long journey to finally reach that highly acclaimed All-Star selection.
He started as a pitcher for the Brewers, then was traded to the Royals in the Mike Moustakas deal in 2018, where his career failed to take off. He was 6-13 with a 6.42 ERA in three seasons with Kansas City -- primarily as a starter.
And with those struggles, he was designated for assignment on Aug. 7, 2020.
"Just reflecting," L¨®pez said on what he told himself. "Do more than you used to do and take the negative things out and just keep [being] positive every day."
With no Major League job and the uncertainty of ever seeing the big leagues again, he was determined -- more than ever -- to do it for his son, Mikael.
Mikael has been in and out of the hospitals since he was born, battling a pair of chronic illnesses (familial Mediterranean fever and Crohn¡¯s). And that was more than enough for L¨®pez to work that much harder to get back on a Major League roster.
"It¡¯s not just [for] me, it¡¯s my son who deserves this," the right-hander said of his All-Star selection. "He¡¯s the one who¡¯s been motivating me. He¡¯s the one why I¡¯m here every day to do my job and even my dream."
Despite the Orioles claiming him off waivers soon after in 2020, L¨®pez¡¯s struggles continued. He started 31 of 42 games for Baltimore from 2020-21 with a 6.21 ERA.
But manager Brandon Hyde still saw the potential of L¨®pez in the big leagues. So, after the right-hander ended the '21 season with a 2.16 ERA in eight appearances out of the bullpen, a new opportunity was presented to him the following season -- the closer role.
"I have to thank Brandon for giving me that job and trusting me," L¨®pez said. "That¡¯s something at this level that you don¡¯t see a lot, a guy who struggled to get that opportunity is huge."
That new role has taken L¨®pez to heights he had never imagined -- 17 saves and a 1.62 ERA in his first 40 appearances this season.
"It¡¯s awesome," reliever Keegan Akin said. "I think we were all expecting it to be him, but I don¡¯t think he was expecting it. Obviously, what he¡¯s been through and what he¡¯s dealing with, we¡¯re just so excited for him and his family to enjoy that experience."
L¨®pez's newfound success has uncovered his career and put him in the Midsummer Classic, among baseball's greatest athletes, for the first time. But his path to get here can also serve an inspiration for other young players who are struggling early in their careers.
"It¡¯s good for guys to look up to," Akin said. "He tried to start for a couple of years, [it] didn't work out and we ended up throwing him in the bullpen and he¡¯s probably one of the best relievers in the game right now. He¡¯s just been dominant for us."
The closer¡¯s All-Star selection is evident of his hard work and his family's motivation, especially from his son. And what better way to celebrate this special occasion than by bringing 9-year-old Mikael to Hollywood -- the reason L¨®pez is there in the first place.
"Let¡¯s see that day, I¡¯m waiting," L¨®pez said. "I know it¡¯s going to be a really good moment. I took him to the field [in Chicago] to see everybody and it was his first time being on the field, too. I already taught him [some baseball] and I can¡¯t wait to show him how good baseball is."