CHICAGO – The Braves will bring up Mike Foltynewicz from Triple-A to start Monday’s series opener against the Mets in New York, deciding to go that route rather than skip the fifth-starter spot in the rotation.
He replaces Bud Norris, who was dropped from the rotation after posting an 8.74 ERA in five starts and giving up six runs in just 1 1/3 innings of his fourth loss Wednesday at Boston.
Norris is currently available in long relief, but the Braves haven’t used him in the bullpen since his last start and it’s uncertain if they’ll keep him on the team much longer.
Foltynewicz has a 2.05 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Gwinnett, with 20 strikeouts, 14 walks and 12 hits allowed in 22 innings. He last pitched April 25 and will be on two extra days’ rest when he makes his season debut Monday.
After being rained out Saturday and bumping back Julio Teheran one day to Sunday’s start against the Cubs, the Braves could’ve kept their rotation in order and had Matt Wisler start Monday.
Off days in the schedule Thursday and May 9 would’ve permitted the team to go with four starters for a couple of weeks before requiring a fifth starter, and Foltynewicz could have made another start or two in Triple-A before a move.
However, manager Fredi Gonzalez said the Braves decided that the major league starters could benefit from a little extra rest at this point, so they’ll stick with a five-man rotation.
