The Braves sent right-hander Mike Foltynewicz to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday with the hope he can regain his confidence after a string of rough outings.
Foltynewicz allowed nine hits (two home runs) and five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings at the Mets on Sunday. It was the third consecutive start in which he failed to make it past the fifth inning while giving up four or more earned runs.
“When you are dealing with young pitchers, young players, sometimes (it’s about) the confidence level,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The Braves acquired Foltynewicz in January as the prized piece of a trade with the Astros. Foltynewicz, 23, is rated as the top Braves pitching prospect by Baseball America, in large part because of a live fastball.
Foltynewicz competed to be the No. 5 starter in spring training but his control problems prompted the Braves to send him to Gwinnett to begin the season. The Braves promoted Foltynewicz in late April and he made his first big-league start in May 1.
In six May starts Foltynewicz was 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA, 1.32 walks and hits allowed per inning pitched and 38 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. In three June starts Foltynewicz posted an 8.04 ERA with a 2.11 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched.
Gonzalez said the Braves haven’t decided who will take Foltynewicz’s turn in the rotation Friday. One possibility is prospect Matt Wisler, who is scheduled to pitch for Gwinnett on Friday.
Gonzalez said Braves coaches and front-office brass weighed the benefits of continuing to allow Foltynewicz to compete with the upside of letting the pitcher “get settled again” in Triple-A.
“We think very highly of him,” Gonzalez said. “He’s a guy that don’t come around often, when you’ve got 98 (mph) in your back pocket any time you want. But I think for right now where he is at, where we are at, the best thing is to go down to Triple-A and get some starts in.”
To take Foltynewicz’s spot on the roster, the Braves promoted infielder Daniel Castro from Gwinnett. He’ll provide some coverage on the bench as shortstop Andrelton Simmons mends from a hand injury.
Castro, 22, has never played in the majors.
