ATLANTA (AP): call it a sign of the times.
The Atlanta Braves did not have time to let Mike Foltynewicz solve their perplexing problems by facing a short season rather than a marathon due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So, after a grim display in his first outing of a shortened campaign, the Braves cut ties with a 28-year-old pitcher who was an All-Star in 2018 and started two games in the National League Division Series season pass.
It was a surprising twist for a right-hander who has just entered what should be the best moment of his career, with no apparent injury issues and not eligible for free agency until 2022.
The Braves designated Foltynewicz for the assignment after a 14-5 loss at Tampa Bay on Monday night, a move that effectively ended his tenure with a team that once saw him as his personal ace.
The play came after Foltynewicz gave up six runs, three home runs and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
“It’s been a kind of thing the whole time we’ve had it,” manager Brian Snitker said. “But his things have not been there.”
Atlanta now has 10 days to try to come to an agreement, though any return would surely be far less than what you might expect for a pitcher with Foltynewicz’s resume. If the Braves can’t come to an agreement, the pitcher would be exempted, and any team filing a claim would assume their prorated $ 6.43 million contract.
Given what Foltynewicz showed during summer camp and his first start, the Braves felt they had no choice but to leave him before they got too far into the 60 game season.
Throughout his career, Foltynewicz’s speed had regularly been in the mid 90 mph range. But against the Rays, he worked his way down the 1990s and struggled with his pitching mastery, continuing the disturbing trend he showed in games within the squad and last week in an exhibition against the Marlins.
Mike Soroka, who assumed the role of Braves’ first starter, said Foltynewicz appears to have some sort of undetected injury, although he also acknowledged that his problems could be mechanical defects in his delivery.
“Obviously, there is an elbow or shoulder (problem), whatever it is,” Soroka said before Tuesday night’s game in Tampa Bay. ” I know Folty when he is healthy. It’s what it looked like in 2018. It’s just not coming out the same. You have to address that. ”
Foltynewicz also appears to be slimmer than a season ago. Snitker wonders if that contributed to the loss of speed on his fastball.
“We feel a sense of urgency,” said the manager. “In this short season we are not in a position to wait for something to happen.”
The move was another blow to the expected rotation for the two-time defending champions of the National League East. Cole Hamels was hurt. Felix Hernández chose not to play due to the virus.
Foltynewicz is out now.
“I don’t know if you ever have enough pitching,” Snitker said. “You’re always looking for it.”
Snitker said the Braves can go with a first game in fifth place. Touki Toussaint, who has made six races in the big leagues, is another possibility. The Braves could finally give Ian Anderson or Tucker Davidson a shot, the top prospects who were included in the 60-man pool each team can draw from for this unique season.
Foltynewicz was a first-round draft pick for the Houston Astros in 2010 and a top prospect for that team when he was handed over to the Braves in 2015.
He showed steady improvement before a major season in 2018, when Foltynewicz had a 13-10 record with a 2.85 ERA and was chosen for his first All-Star Game. The Braves captured the National League East Division title, and Foltynewicz started two games in a playoff series against the Dodgers, including Game 1.
Foltynewicz was not very effective: He walked seven and allowed five runs in a total of six innings, but his place as the team’s No. 1 starter seemed secure.
Then a big step back in 2019, which led to the demotion of Foltynewicz to Triple-A Gwinnett in June. He spent nearly two months in the minors before returning to the Braves, after solving the problems that haunted him earlier in the season.
Foltynewicz was 6-1 with a 2.65 ERA in his last 10 appearances, helping the Braves win a second consecutive division crown and earning the go-ahead in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against The cardinals. He threw a three-shot ball in seven innings in a 3-0 masterpiece that equaled the series in one game apiece.
But it all fell apart for Foltynewicz in the decisive Game 5. He retired a single hitter and was charged with six earned runs, as St. Louis put together a record 10 runs first and ended the Braves’ season with a 13- recess. one.
As it turned out, Foltynewicz would only make one more start with Atlanta.
The news was delivered shortly after he was thrown at the Rays.
“I was hurt,” said Snitker. “It is not easy to tell a guy, especially someone we have had for a long time, who has worked hard, who has been a big part of this organization.”
Unfortunately for Foltynewicz, there was no time for a change.
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