Right-hander Kevin Gausman is headed to the Cincinnati Reds after he was claimed off irrevocable waivers from the Braves, the teams announced Monday.
Gausman allowed five runs in 4-2/3 innings — against the Reds — during his last start for the Braves Friday. He posted a career-worst 6.19 ERA across 16 starts.
The 28-year-old right-hander is controllable through the 2020 season, though the Braves were likely to non-tender him this winter. Gausman makes more than $9 million this season, with the Reds assuming the remainder of his deal.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos pointed to struggling fastball command as a reason Gausman hasn’t replicated last season’s showing, when he earned a 2.87 ERA over 10 starts for the Braves, aiding the push for a division title.
But Gausman hasn’t been effective in 2019, relying exclusively on a fastball-splitter combo that wasn’t fruitful. Gausman was said to have expanded his repertoire during a stint on the injured list, including reviving his curveball, but it was never illustrated in games.
The Reds will use Gausman out of the bullpen, manager David Bell said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Braves couldn't simply shift Gausman into that role given their relievers' lack of options. Sean Newcomb is the only player with options remaining in the Braves' bullpen.
In other words, the team’s circumstances didn’t dictate an experimental move to the bullpen. And continuing to use Gausman every fifth day just wasn’t viewed as palatable anymore.
“We really wanted him to come back and be a fixture in the rotation,” manager Brian Snitker said. “The circumstances now, as of yesterday, we have one optionable guy. And (Newcomb) has been pitching really, really good for us. So there wasn’t room to explore that.
“It’s not an easy decision. I figured somebody would take (Gausman). I wish him well because he was a big part of what we did last year. He’s a great teammate. I hate to see him go but I’m glad he’s getting another opportunity.”
Right-hander Kevin Gausman is headed to the Cincinnati Reds, sources tell ESPN. He was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The 28-year-old has one more season remaining until he hits free agency following 2020 though could be a non-tender candidate this winter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 5, 2019
The Braves recalled Mike Foltynewicz from Triple-A Gwinnett to start tomorrow’s game at Minnesota. The Braves are essentially replacing Gausman with Foltynewicz, replacing one gamble with another.
In Foltynewicz’s case, the Braves are hoping a former All-Star has fixed the woes that derailed his season thus far. Without much insurance to fall back on, the Braves need Foltynewicz; maybe not the All-Star version, but a stable version worth counting on through the final two months.
“This was performance based,” Anthopoulos said. “Gausman got claimed and moved on to another club. From our standpoint, this allows Folty to come back and start for us. Hopefully, he comes up and solidifies things.”
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