Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (right rotator cuff strain) might not have a full workload if he returns from the injured list this season. "I hate to put a timetable on it, but I don't think we're necessarily trying to get him back to the point where we think he's going to make two or three starts," said manager Don Mattingly. "Could he open a game and throw a few innings? I think that's the biggest thing with Pablo with the organization: to be able to go through this build-up, to get him back to the mound would be the top priority for everyone." Of course, he suffered shoulder injuries in both 2018 and 2019, so Miami doesn't want to overwork him in the coming month and then have to deal with a setback during the offseason. Lopez is 5-5 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .227 OBA through 19 starts this season. The right-hander will start throwing soon, but it's hard to imagine he'll return to a normal workload in 2021. With that in mind, he won't have much relevance throughout the fantasy playoffs.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) will be "slowing down" in his rehab from a rotator cuff issue. Lopez appeared in his first rehab outing earlier in the week and pitched well (three scoreless innings with three strikeouts). But the medical staff was reportedly not happy with how his recovery looked the day after his outing. Lopez hasn't pitched since the All-Star Break, and it looks like now it could be another few weeks until he's back on the mound. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Lopez shut down for the season, but that has not yet been discussed, supposedly. Lopez is an excellent pitcher when he's on the mound, so he's worth keeping in an open IL spot in most formats just in case he returns sooner than expected.

Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. He completed a 35-pitch bullpen session last week. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since mid-July with a shoulder strain. Lopez is trending in the right direction and could begin a rehab assignment soon. The right-hander owns a 3.03 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts over 101 innings in 2021. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Lopez's status as he could return at the end of August.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) threw a 35-pitch live batting practice on Monday, MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reported. Lopez has been out of the rotation since July 17 but is reportedly optimistic he is getting closer to starting a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old right-hander was solid all season prior to injury, posting a 3.03 ERA with 111 K and 25 BB over 101 innings pitched. Fantasy managers should stay on the lookout for the starter to return.

Miami Marlins pitchers Pablo Lopez (shoulder) and Elieser Hernandez (quadriceps) each threw a bullpen session on Friday, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Lopez, out since July 17, has been arguably the best pitcher in Miami's rotation this season, pitching to a 3.03 ERA with 111 K and 25 BB over 101 IP. Fantasy managers are patiently waiting for Lopez to return and give them production in all categories. Hernandez has only thrown 7.1 innings with the big league club this year but pitched well in 25.2 IP in 2020, posting a 3.16 ERA with 34 K and four walks. If he can get back in the Marlins rotation when he returns, he's an intriguing waiver-wire option.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Lopez has been out of action since the All-Star break with a rotator cuff strain, and had recently begun playing catch. Prior to this injury, Lopez was in the midst of a career-year as he was 5-5 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.089 WHIP and 27.1 percent strikeout rate over 101 innings of work. He's still probably a couple weeks away from a return at this point, but it's good to see positive progress with his recovery.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) is beginning his rehab process by throwing off flat ground at 60 feet. Lopez is on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain and hasn't pitched since July 11. While a rotator cuff injury can linger, it's good to see Lopez throwing again relatively soon after being shut down. When he's able to return, he'll come back to a 5-5 record with a 3.03 ERA and a 111:25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's absolutely worth keeping in an IL spot in most formats until he's back on the mound.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (shoulder) will begin his throwing progression on flat ground this week, according to MLB.com. Lopez was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 17 due to a right rotator cuff strain. Though the Marlins are sellers and out of the playoff hunt, fantasy managers with the roster space can hang tight and hope for quality late-season starts as Lopez was in the midst of a strong 2021 campaign. In 101 innings, the right-handed starter had pitched to a 3.03 ERA and a 3.21 FIP while notching 111 strikeouts compared to just 25 walks. There's still no timetable for his Major League return.