As starter has been shut down after sustaining a Grade 1 flexor strain, manager Mark Kotsay tells reporters (including of ). Hell go on the 15-day injured list tomorrow. Kotsay said the As still hope Lopez can make it back this season, likely as a reliever in Chris Boucher Jersey the final few days. Lopez has quietly been one of the American Leagues best rookie pitchers. Acquired from the Rays alongside in a deal sending to Tampa Bay, Lopez was on and off the active roster early in the season. The 64 southpaw has grabbed a firm hold on a big league roster spot since late May. He fired seven innings of one-run ball against the Phillies in his first start after being recalled and has occupied a rotation spot since then. Lopez has had a few blow-up outings but has shown glimpses of dominance, including five scorele s starts over the course of the year. Four of those came consecutively between July 26 and August 12. He had the two best performances by an As pitcher all season in back-to-back outings earlier in the month. Lopez punched out 10 over 7 2/3 scorele s innings in Washington on August 7, then blanked the Rays on nine strikeouts over seven frames five days later. He to sed another quality start six innings of three-run ball with eight strikeouts in Minnesota last Tuesday. Lopez had by far his worst outing of the season yesterday. He walked six and gave up nine runs in two innings in Seattle. The As that hed been dealing with forearm tightne s that initially cropped up during his start against the Twins. Yesterdays appearance pushed his season earned run average to 4.08, but hed entered the game with a 3.28 mark while striking out 29% of batters faced. Thats excellent production anywhere and especially impre sive considering the As temporary home field in Sacramento has been the for pitchers outside of Coors Field. The 27-year-old Lopez is arguably the As most promising pitcher going into next season. Highly-touted prospect is in the big league rotation now as well. Morales has erratic command but power stuff headlined by a 97 MPH heater. has posted better than average strikeout and ground-ball numbers over 60 MLB frames, though it hasnt translated to great results. Springs and are each signed for next year and will probably be in trade rumors in the offseason. is listed as the probable starter for tomorrow nights game against the Tigers. Itll be his first start since mid-May. Bido has been working 3-4 inning stints out of the bullpen and could take a few turns through the rotation in Lopezs absence. He owns a 5.37 ERA in 65 1/3 frames over 19 appearances. Norman Powell Jersey