The Atlanta Braves designated pitcher Mike Foltynewicz for assignment on Monday after he conceded six runs in 3 1/3 innings in a 14-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Foltynewicz allowed three home runs, walked four and failed to get out of the fourth inning in his first outing of the season.
His fastball averaged 89 mph and never reached 93 mph on Monday after averaging 95 mph last season. The 28-year-old right-hander had similar speed problems in a summer game last week against Miami.
“It’s difficult,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “Folty, in this short season, it’s just not happening right now. We do have a bit of a sense of urgency to some degree. Folty has been great to us for the past two years, released in big games and in [the] playoffs, it has been good for us in the final stretch. We’re just not in position this short season to wait for something to happen. “
Foltynewicz has been a regular in the Braves’ rotation since 2015. His best season for Atlanta was 2018, when he was 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA and was named an All-Star. He has made four playoff starts, losing in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against St. Louis in October after allowing seven runs (six wins) while retiring just one batter.
Foltynewicz will be replaced on the active list by Chad Sobotka.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
