Braves newcomer Collmenter to start Saturday vs. Nationals

Three days after the Braves traded for veteran pitcher Josh Collmenter, he will start Saturday’s game against the Nationals.

Collmenter, 30, came from the Cubs in a Wednesday trade for cash. The right-hander will fill in Saturday for Mike Foltynewicz, who is recovering well from a calf contusion and could return to the rotation at some point next week.

In six seasons with Arizona, Collmenter had a 36-33 record and 3.54 ERA in 200 games (75 starts), with 460 strikeouts and 157 walks in 659 1/3 innings. He was the Diamondbacks’ opening day starter in 2015.

He began the 2016 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 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.

In his last start Sept. 3 against Colorado Springs, Collmenter allowed six hits and one run in five innings, with one walk and three strikeouts.