Braves move quickly, drop Foltynewicz from roster
Call it a sign of the times. Facing a sprint of a season rather than a marathon because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Atlanta Braves didn’t have time to let Mike Foltynewicz sort out his problems.
So, after a dismal showing in his first outing of an abbreviated campaign, the Braves cut ties with a 28-year-old pitcher who was an Allstar in 2018 and started two games in the NL Division Series last season.
It was a stunning turn for a pitcher just entering what should be the prime of his career, a right-hander who clearly has plenty of talent, no apparent injury issues and isn’t eligible for free agency until 2022.
The Braves designated Foltynewicz for assignment after a 14-5 loss at Tampa Bay on Monday night, a move that effectively ended his tenure with a team that once viewed him as its staff ace.
The move came after Foltynewicz surrendered six runs, three homers and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
“He’s been a stuff guy the entire time we’ve had him,” Snitker said. “But his stuff hasn’t been there.”
Atlanta now has 10 days to try to work out a trade, though any return would surely be far less than what might’ve been expected for a pitcher with Foltynewicz’s resume. If the Braves can’t make a deal, the pitcher would be placed on waivers and any team making a claim would assume his prorated $6.43 million contract.
Given what Foltynewicz showed during a summer camp and in his first start, the Braves felt they had no choice other than removing him from the 40-man roster and 60-man player pool that each team has to for the shortened, 60-game season.
Throughout his career, Foltynewicz’s velocity had regularly been in the mid-90 mph range. But against the Rays, he labored in the low 90s and struggled with command of his pitches — continuing the disturbing trend he showed in intrasquad games and last week in an exhibition against the Marlins.
Foltynewicz appears to be thinner than he was a season ago. Snitker wonders if that contributed to the loss of speed on his fastball.
“We kind of feel a sense of urgency,” Snitker said. “Folty’s been big for us the past couple years, pitched in big games and in the playoffs, been good for us down the stretch. We’re just not in a position in this short season to wait for something to happen.”
The move was another blow to the expected rotation for the two-time defending NL East champions. Cole Hamels is injured. Felix Hernandez opted not to play because of the virus. Now, Foltynewicz is out. “I don’t know if you ever have enough pitching,” Snitker said. “You’re always looking for it.”