In a surprise move, Braves will appoint Mike Foltynewicz for the assignment.

The Braves will surprisingly designate right-hander Mike Foltynewicz for his assignment, manager Brian Snitker told the media after Atlanta’s 14-5 loss to the Rays on Monday. Right-hander Chad Sobotka will replace Foltynewicz on the Braves’ active roster.

Foltynewicz, 28, started that game at Tropicana Field and allowed six home runs earned and three home runs in 3 1/3 innings. During that time, he struck out three and walked four.

DFA Foltynewicz’s decision means the Braves will have a limited window to trade it, likely for a minimal return, or place it on irrevocable exemptions. In other words, Foltynewicz’s days with Atlanta will soon be over. Once he receives DFA, he will be removed from the Braves’ 40-man roster and 60-player pool.

The decision highlights Foltynewicz’s precipitous decline. He was originally drafted by the Astros as the No. 19 overall pick in 2010, and in January 2015 the Braves acquired him as part of the trade that sent Evan Gattis to Houston. Upon reaching his final season as part of the Astros’ organization, Foltynewicz was considered by most to be a general prospect in the top 50.

Foltynewicz threw solidly for the Braves ahead of his 2018 breakout season, when he posted a 2.85 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 183 innings. As a result, he finished eighth in Cy Young’s National League vote, and Foltynewicz seemed like a young centerpiece to the Braves. However, Foltynewicz ran into arm problems and then there was a sharp loss of speed. Foltynewicz in 2014 flaunted a fastball that averaged over 98 mph. That number gradually dropped to less than 95 mph last season, and on Monday it was sometimes below 90 mph with its four seats. As Snitker said after announcing the decision, “his things just haven’t been there.”

Given how recent Foltynewicz showed such promise, there’s no question teams will line up to take a flyer on him. However, working against Foltynewicz is the results, the things, and the fact that the organization that knows the most about him is ready to let him go.