Cubs make low-risk reunion with familiar player before playoffs

Nicky Lopez is the legend on the 2025 Chicago Cubs that simply won't go away. After a stop with the Cubs during spring training and returning to the Major League team for a brief stint during the opening months of the campaign, Lopez has found his way back once again. Veteran Iowa Cubs' beat reporter Tommy Birch reports that the Cubs have brought back Lopez on a minor-league deal, and he was in the starting lineup for the Iowa Cubs

Lopez was the odd man out for the Cubs at the end of spring training, but as the team was sifting through third base options earlier this season, when Matt Shaw was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, Lopez was brought back to provide some stability for the infield.

It was a forgettable 22 plate appearances for Lopez during his time with the Cubs earlier this season, collecting only 1 hit. Once Shaw returned, it was clear that Lopez was once again going to be forced off the Major League roster.

Cubs’ late-season Nicky Lopez reunion catches everyone off guard

After his run with the Cubs, Lopez bounced between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees on minor-league deals. Not having a path to the Major League roster with either team, it does make sense that Lopez returned to the organization that is close to home.

Adding a player like Lopez is the type of move contenders usually make during the final months of the season. With there no longer being a waiver trade deadline, teams like the Cubs will be scouring the free-agent market to add some depth before September.

An injury to Shaw, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson would leave the Cubs thin in the infield at the Major League level. Instead of turning to unproven prospects such as Ben Cowles or James Triantos, Lopez gives the organization some veteran insurance. Of course, for the Cubs' sake, the hope is that there isn't a need for him at the Major League level between now and the end of the season.

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