In his first 594 plate appearances across 2019 and 2020, Nicky Lopez slashed .228/.279/.307 with a .586 OPS, 56 OPS+, and was one-for-seven on stolen base attempts. As his uncertainty in the middle infield grew leading into the 2021 season, Nicky had a chance to prove himself once again in spring training. In the 39 plate appearances he had to secure his spot on the opening day lineup, Lopez slashed an astonishing .118/.231/.147 from the plate. On March 28, Nicky Lopez was optioned to the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Luckily for Nicky, he was brought right back up to the big leagues on March 31 when Adalberto Mondesi was placed on the 10-day Injured List.