With Thursday’s rainout, the Braves chose to give Sean Newcomb an extra day of rest. Matt Wisler was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start against the Marlins on Friday.
Newcomb, 24, is riding a 20-inning scoreless streak and hasn’t permitted a run since April 26. He’s lowered his season ERA to 2.51.
The lefty has made six starts with an extra day of rest, a formula that has proved successful for the Braves.
“It’s pretty good,” Newcomb said. “A nice day to go work on what you need to work on. … Rest whenever you can get it is a positive thing.”
Newcomb has given up five hits total in his three May starts, striking out 20 and walking eight. He’s begun blossoming into the left-handed power arm the Braves desired when they acquired him from the Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade of 2015.
He has made only two starts in which he allowed more than two earned runs: He gave up four April 26 in Cincinnati, with three coming on a Joey Votto home run. He was knocked around for five runs in his first start of the season against Washington.
“It’s such a long season. There are going to be times we can’t do it. But when we have the opportunity, you see that industry-wide now,” manager Brian Snitker said of giving his starters extra rest.
The Braves will need a starter for Wednesday’s series finale in Philadelphia, and Snitker indicated Luiz Gohara could be an option, as are Max Fried and Matt Wisler, Friday’s starter.
Mike Soroka was placed on the disabled list Thursday because of soreness in his pitching shoulder. He’ll make a rehab start next week and could return to the rotation for his next start if there aren’t further complications.
But Snitker said the team likely won’t implement a six-man rotation, even if it essentially uses one in the coming week.
“I don’t know that we’d do a sixth man,” he said. “Just more working a guy in.” Like the extra arm in the bullpen. So many young bullpen guys, the rest would help.
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