The Atlanta Braves Name Their Starting Pitcher For Friday’s Game versus Reds

We’ve been talking about this for a few days now – pretty much when Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told once starting pitcher Trevor Cahill to begin warming up in the Braves bullpen on Wednesday we started to question this – but now it’s official.

The Atlanta Braves name Michael Foltynewicz their starting pitcher for Friday’s matchup versus the Cincinnati Reds.

“He’s earned the opportunity to come up and pitch,” Gonzalez told reports on Thursday.  “I hope he doesn’t think it’s just a one day tryout and think he’s got to pitch extremely well to not get sent down.  We have to be patient with him.  I’m excited, he’s earned it and hopefully he can rattle off the rest of the year…he’s very capable of doing it.”

For the start of the 2015 season, Foltynewicz has been with the Gwinnett Braves.  He’s started four games for Gwinnett with 21.2 innings pitched, a 2.08 ERA and 30 strikeouts compared to 10 walks.

The Braves headed into the 2015 Spring Training with a need for a fifth starter and Foltynewicz was in the mix for this spot.  He pitched well during Spring Training, but not enough to win the starting job.

The Braves traded for Trevor Cahill, but so far that hasn’t worked out for the Braves.  Cahill currently has a 9.42 ERA and 2.02 WHIP.  His opposing batting average is .344 for the 2015 season = not good!

The Braves announced after the game that the move that will be made is that Chris Johnson will be going to the disabled list after hurting his left wrist and that will make room for Foltynewicz.

Before the game the all the talk was who will be sent down for Foltynewicz.  The injury to Johnson doesn’t really help the team, but it probably made Gonzalez’s job a little easier.

Foltynewicz will start game two of the series versus the Reds and will pitch against Anthony DeSclafani.  The game will start at 7:35pm ET at Turner Field.

Next: Game Recap: Braves Lose 5-1 to the Reds, Chris Johnson Injured