WooSox Notebook: Jack Lopez provides experienced presence in a young infield

He hit .273 with a .351 OBP in an 11-game stretch during May when he got the chance to play on a regular basis, but even with a number of players vying for time in the WooSox infield and Lopez sometimes being the odd man out, he’s kept up the steady production.

The infielder, who plays second, shortstop and third, took some time to find his footing at the Triple-A level, hitting .145 in his first stint in Triple-A in 2017, playing 18 games with Omaha in the Pacific Coast League.

The Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico native got in some work during the winter of 2020-2021, playing for Indios de Mayaguez of the Puerto Rican Winter League and for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series.

But even now that the Worcester infield is fully intact, with Chavis and Arauz getting regular playing time, Lopez has made it difficult to keep him out of the lineup for long, bring speed and a solid bat to the bottom of the order.

It was the third time Lopez racked up a three-hit performance in his last four games.

Hart escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, thanks in part to an outfield assist from right fielder Marcus Wilson.

“I feel like the walks are still an issue, but it’s like I’ll be locked in for four or five hitters, and then I’ll just lose it with a guy,” Hart said.

Ryan Weber, whose turn it would be in the rotation, was claimed off waivers by Milwaukee after being designated for assignment, and Raynel Espinal, who would be after Weber in the rotation, is away from the team playing in an Olympic qualifying tournament for Team Dominican Republic.

Seabold, a starter, has yet to make an appearance for Worcester as he was shut down with right elbow inflammation and soreness.

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