Mike Foltynewicz to the DL Williams Perez starts Wednesday
By Fred Owens
Aug 8, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (48) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Following Tuesday night’s loss to Miami the Braves put Mike Foltynewicz on the DL.
Folty Monday’s scheduled start because of illness and told reporters before tonight’s game that he still felt bad; now we know why. According to the Mayo Clinic there’s no known cause for costochondritis and the cure is to wait until it stops hurting.
"Costochondritis (kos-toe-kon-DRY-tis) is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). . . (it) is sometimes known as chest wall pain and (sometimes) swelling accompanies the painCostochondritis usually has no apparent cause. Treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for the condition to improve on its own, which can take several weeks or longer. . ."
So Folty will be down for at least two weeks and maybe longer taking pain meds and waiting. That does not sound like fun. For every cloud there’s a silver lining – okay maybe not but let’s stick with the cliché for now – and the benefactor of Folty’s pain is Williams Perez,
Perez went on the DL himself earlier this season after taking a liner off of his foot and never found his groove after returning from the DL. In six starts after his return he was 0-5 in 31 IP and posted a 9.87 ERA and a 2.000 WHIP.
In last Friday’s start against the Yankees he lasted just 1 2/3 innings and gave up 8 runs on 5 hits walking 3 and striking out 2 and earned a trip back to Gwinnett.
Normally Perez would have had to make Gwinnett home for at least 10 days before returning to Atlanta but the rules allow an early recall in the event of illness or injury. He was only at Gwinnett four days and didn’t appear in any games so although he’s on short rest he should be ready to go.
Let’s hope Perez figured something out. After tonight’s game the Braves are just one half game in from of the Marlins. A loss tomorrow would be their eighth straight and fifteenth in the last sixteen games. The Braves need to stop the skid and start winning a few or a 100 loss season is a real possibility.