Josh Collmenter was an opening-day starter for the Diamondbacks in 2015. The Braves traded for him Wednesday in hopes he’ll help get them to the finish line season on a good note, rather than limping the rest of the way with a banged-up rotation.
The Braves acquired Collmenter from the Cubs on Wednesday in a trade for cash, and it’s possible the 30-year-old could be plugged into the Braves rotation as soon as Saturday against the Nationals, when they need someone to make a fill-in start.
The Braves also got pitcher Joe Wieland from the Mariners in a Wednesday trade for cash or a player to be named later.
Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz will miss at least one start with a left-calf contusion, and Williams Perez was diagnosed with an elbow impingement that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Collmenter is the most likely of the two newcomers to get a fill-in start or possibly move into the rotation the rest of the season.
“We are pleased to be adding Josh and Joe to the Braves organization,” general manager John Coppolella said in a text message. “While it may be related on some level to a need created by injuries and the multiple minor league teams we have advancing in the playoff, it’s also a testament to the relentless pursuit of talent by our front office.”
Collmenter, 30, had a 36-33 record and 3.54 ERA in 200 games (75 starts) over six major league seasons with Arizona, with 460 strikeouts and 157 walks in 659 1/3 innings.
He began the season on the disabled list for shoulder inflammation, and Arizona’s offseason pitching additions relegated him to a bullpen role upon returning. Collmenter had a 4.84 ERA in 15 relief appearances this season for the Diamondbacks, with 17 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 1/3 innings, before being released.
He was 1-1 with a 4.06 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) in the minor leagues this season, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts for the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa affiliate after signing a minor league deal. He had nine strikeouts and eight walks in 16 innings over his four starts for Iowa, allowing two runs or fewer in each.
In his most recent start Sept. 3 against Colorado Springs, Collmenter allowed six hits and one run in five innings, with one walk and three strikeouts.
