Sport

Cubs Part Ways with Nicky Lopez: What’s Next for the Infielder?

2025-05-19

Author: Jessica Wong

In a surprising move, the Chicago Cubs have designated infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment, as reported by Maddie Lee from the Chicago Sun-Times. This decision comes right on the heels of Matt Shaw's anticipated return to the big leagues, shrinking the Cubs’ 40-man roster to 39.

At 30 years old, Lopez's journey with the Cubs has been anything but straightforward. He initially joined the team on a minor league deal but opted out when he didn’t secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. Shortly after, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels; however, his stint there lasted under a month before he was released. The Cubs, seeing an opportunity after Shaw was sent down following a sluggish performance, quickly brought Lopez back, this time with a major league contract.

Unfortunately, Lopez's opportunity with the Cubs was limited. In just 19 games, he tallied a mere 28 plate appearances, posting a dismal batting line of .042/.179/.042— a statistic that starkly encapsulates his career trajectory, which has been predominantly defined by his defensive prowess rather than batting skills.

Throughout his career, Lopez has maintained an overall batting line of .245/.310/.311 over 2,374 plate appearances, accompanied by a wRC+ of 72. Despite these numbers, he has consistently earned high marks for his infield defense, spending a considerable amount of time at middle infield positions, while also stepping into corners and left field when needed.

Now, with Shaw's arrival, Lopez finds himself on the brink of uncertainty, a once-promising player now caught in DFA limbo. He will likely hit waivers in the coming days, and given his service time, he has the option to reject an outright assignment, potentially embracing free agency. The question remains: could this glove-first infielder attract attention from teams in need of a solid bench asset?

As Lopez navigates his next steps, baseball fans will be watching closely—will he continue his journey on the diamond, or is this the end of the road in the big leagues?