Atlanta Braves Set to Recall Mike Foltynewicz

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Jun 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (48) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

TomahawkTake has learned that Michael Foltynewicz that he will be recalled tomorrow in order to start the third game of the current series vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

Folty was optioned to AAA Gwinnett on July 12th at the All-Star Break, having been in a relief role that gave him 3 appearances.  The Braves clearly wish to maintain him as a starter, though he was erratic at times earlier in the year, giving up 6, 5, and 5 runs in his last 3 starts in the majors.

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More recently at Gwinnett, the 23-year-old right-hander made just 2 starts of five and six innings, giving up 3 runs on each occasion, and walking just 1 each time.  He last pitched on July 23rd, so his natural turn would be today or tomorrow, depending on off-days.

It is not known at this time the specific reason for his fairly quick re-call.  There are 4 possibilities:

  • He’s been down at AAA for 10 days and that was enough for the coaches after seeing improvement in AAA…. not terribly likely by itself, to be honest, since he’s only had the 2 starts.
  • Manny Banuelos is nearing his team-imposed innings limit for the year (said to be in the neighborhood of 150 innings… he is now at 104… that’s still a few starts away).  This is certainly possible, as Stokke suggests above.
  • There’s been an injury… but there’s no word about that among any Brave at this time.
  • Or… somebody in the rotation is getting traded.

JUST IN:  It’s an injury…

That’s not good.  Brings back bad memories of Brandon Beachy’s pitching attempts between (2) Tommy John procedures.  Here’s hoping it’s strictly a minor thing with utmost caution being exercised… either way, I would bet that we will not see Manny back again this season.

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