The Arizona Diamondbacks made a low-risk move to bolster their infield depth on Tuesday, signing veteran infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor league contract. The 30-year-old will report to Triple-A Reno, where he’ll look to reset after a rough start to his 2025 campaign.
Lopez, a former fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2016 MLB Draft, made his big league debut in 2019 and spent the first four and a half years of his career in Kansas City. Known primarily for his defense and versatility, Lopez carved out a niche as a glove-first utility infielder. But since 2023, he’s been on the move — playing for the Braves, White Sox, Cubs, and Angels in rapid succession before landing with Arizona this week.
The 2025 season has been especially unkind to Lopez. In a small sample of 28 plate appearances, he’s slashed an abysmal .042/.179/.042, managing just one hit. That performance led to his release earlier this month, and now Lopez is looking to rebound in the Diamondbacks organization.
Diamondbacks turn to Nicky Lopez for infield depth
Despite his recent struggles at the plate, Lopez has a track record as a competent, but limited big leaguer. He owns a career .245 batting average with a .310 on-base percentage and a .311 slugging mark. He’s capable of playing second base, shortstop, and third base with above-average defensive metrics across the board.
For the Diamondbacks, the move is clearly about organizational depth rather than an immediate impact at the Major League level. Arizona's infield is already crowded with players capable of handling multiple infield roles. That likely leaves Lopez as a fallback option in case of injury rather than performance-related roster shuffling.
Still, there’s value in having a seasoned, defensively sound player like Lopez waiting in the wings. His baseball IQ, clubhouse presence, and ability to step into multiple roles on short notice make him an appealing safety net for a team with playoff aspirations.
For Lopez, this stint with Reno could be his last shot to prove he belongs in the big leagues. If he can string together some quality at-bats and continue to flash the glove that’s kept him employed for seven seasons, a return to the show isn’t out of the question.