Lopez cleared waivers and elected free agency Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The 30-year-old was designated for assignment by the Angels on Friday, and he won't remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Lopez appeared in just five games after inking an MLB deal with the Halos in late March and went 0-for-6 with a strikeout.
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Angels' Nicky Lopez: DFA'd by Halos
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The Angels designated Lopez for assignment Friday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Lopez signed a major-league contract with the Angels in late March, but he's appeared in just six games for the Halos while going 0-for-6 at the plate. If he goes unclaimed off waivers or isn't traded, Lopez will have the option of remaining in the organization in Triple-A or exploring other opportunities by entering free agency. Zach Neto (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.
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Angels' Nicky Lopez: Signs with Halos
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Lopez agreed to a major-league contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The 30-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in February, but he was unable to earn a roster spot with the Cubs despite posting a .450/.542/.550 slash line in 24 plate appearances during spring training. Lopez will provide infield depth and could see regular playing time early in the season with Yoan Moncada (thumb) banged up and Zach Neto (shoulder) recovering from shoulder surgery.
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Nicky Lopez: Released by Cubbies
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The Cubs released Lopez on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Lopez requested and was granted his release after being told he would not be part of the team's roster for their domestic opener next week. The veteran infielder is free to sign with a new club.
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Cubs' Nicky Lopez: Signs minor-league deal with Cubs
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Lopez and the Cubs agreed on a minor-league contract Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Lopez spent the 2024 campaign with the White Sox, batting .241 with one home run, 21 RBI, 40 runs scored and five stolen bases over 398 at-bats in 124 games. The infielder will presumably receive an invitation to major-league spring training in the coming weeks, though that is not confirmed. If Lopez is able to crack the Cubs' 26-man roster this season, he'll earn $1.5 million.
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Nicky Lopez: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Lopez elected free agency Tuesday.
The White Sox removed Lopez from their 40-man roster and the veteran infielder has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Lopez, who turns 30 in March, slashed just .241/.312/.294 over 124 games for the White Sox in 2024. He might have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Not starting Sunday
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Lopez is absent from Sunday's lineup against Detroit.
Lopez will be out of the White Sox's lineup for a second straight game. Unless he pinch hits during Sunday's contest, he'll end the season with a slash line of .241/.312/.294 with five stolen bases, one home run and 21 RBI over 445 plate appearances. Jacob Amaya will start at shortstop and bat ninth.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Not in Saturday's lineup
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Lopez isn't in the White Sox's lineup Saturday versus the Tigers.
Lopez will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going just 1-for-16 over his last five games. Jacob Amaya will take over as Chicago's shortstop and bat ninth.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Idle against lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.
Lopez typically serves as the White Sox's leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching, but he'll hit the bench for the fourth time in five games while Chicago opposes another lefty (Tyler Anderson) in the series finale with the Angels. Miguel Vargas will serve as Chicago's table setter Thursday, while Jacob Amaya takes Lopez's usual spot at shortstop.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Resting against lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
The left-handed-hitting Lopez will bow out of the starting nine while the Angels send southpaw Jose Suarez to the bump. Jacob Amaya will spell Lopez at shortstop and bat ninth.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Sitting against righty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
After sitting against lefty Martin Perez on Saturday, the lefty-hitting Lopez will bow out of the lineup against a righty (Yu Darvish) in the series finale. Jacob Amaya will pick up a second straight start at shortstop in place of Lopez, while Miguel Vargas assumes Lopez's usual spot atop the batting order.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Idle against LHP
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Lopez isn't in the White Sox's lineup for Saturday's game versus San Diego.
The left-handed-hitting Lopez will step out of the starting lineup Saturday with southpaw Martin Perez set to toe the slab for the Padres. Lopez's absence will allow Jacob Amaya to pick up a start at shortstop while batting seventh.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Sitting against lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
The lefty-hitting Lopez starts more often than not against right-handed pitching, but he's been routinely exiting the lineup against left-handed pitching of late. With southpaw JP Sears toeing the rubber for Oakland, Lopez will give way to Jacob Amaya at shortstop.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Idle against lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
With lefty Matthew Boyd on the bump for the Guardians, the lefty-hitting Lopez will give way to Jacob Amaya at shortstop. Lopez had started in five of the White Sox's six matchups with right-handed pitchers in September, so he should maintain a strong-side platoon role in the middle infield, at least until Brooks Baldwin (wrist) comes off the injured list.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Sitting against lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Lopez and fellow left-handed batters Gavin Sheets and Dominic Fletcher will head to the bench Monday while the Guardians send southpaw Joey Cantillo to the hill for the series opener. Jacob Amaya will fill in for Lopez at shortstop.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Lopez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Boston.
Lopez will begin Sunday's game in the dugout after going 2-for-9 with one run scored across the first two games of the series. Jacob Amaya will start at shortstop and bat ninth against Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Smacks first home run
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Lopez went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Orioles.
Lopez opened the scoring on the second pitch of the game, taking an Albert Suarez fastball over the right-field fence to put Chicago ahead 1-0 in the first inning. It's the first long ball of the year for the 29-year-old Lopez, who'd been stuck in a 6-for-39 (.154) slump in 12 contests coming into Wednesday. Overall, the infielder is slashing .241/.313/.299 with 37 runs scored, 18 RBI and five stolen bases across 405 plate appearances this year.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Not starting vs. lefty
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.
Lopez has a .472 OPS in his past 12 games and will sit Tuesday as southpaw Cade Povich takes the mound for Baltimore. Jacob Amaya will start at shortstop and bat ninth for Chicago.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: On bench against southpaw
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Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
With lefty Sean Manaea on the hill, the lefty-hitting Lopez will retreat to the bench for the series finale. The White Sox recently placed Lopez on waivers, but with the 29-year-old going unclaimed, he appears set to stick around in the organization for the rest of the season. Lopez should continue to play regularly against right-handed pitching.
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White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Placed on waivers
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The White Sox placed Lopez on waivers Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
In his first season with the Southsiders, Lopez has slashed .238/.310/.290 with five steals, 33 runs and 17 RBI across 387 plate appearances. The other 29 clubs now have the opportunity to add the 29-year-old to their roster for the final month of the season and pay what's left of his $4.3 million salary. However, his poor performance makes it likely that he passes through waivers unclaimed and remains with the Sox.
