SAN DIEGO – More than three weeks since he pitched in a game of any kind, Bartolo Colon is set to come off the disabled list to start for the Braves on Wednesday night against the Padres.
Colon was 2-7 with a majors-worst 7.78 ERA when the Braves put him on the 10-day DL on June 6 with what the Braves said was a strained oblique. The 44-year-old’s planned return start a week ago got pushed back indefiniitely because of back stiffness.
Before announcing anything this time, the Braves left their Wednesday starter as TBA (to be announced) until Colon reported no physical ailments upon arriving to the ballpark Tuesday in San Diego before the opener of a three-game series against the Padres. The Braves flew to San Diego on Sunday night and were off Monday.
“We’re going to go ahead and break him out and give him a start,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He threw a bullpen again on Sunday and everything was good, so we just wanted to make sure after the off day and when he came in. So it’s all a go for tomorrow.”
But for how long will it be a go? Snitker was non-commital on what happens after this week, as the Braves will use six different starters on this six-day West Coast trip to San Diego and Oakland but don’t seem inclined to stick with that arrangement much longer than that. Rookie Sean Newcomb, called up after Colon was placed on the DL, has been so impressive — 1.96 ERA entering his fourth start Tuesday — that sending him back to the minors would be a difficult decision.
“I’m just going to go ahead and play it by ear,” Snitker said of the pitching plans beyond this week. “I’m not 100 percent sure. This (trip) everybody will get one (start), then there’s another off day, then we’ll have to re-evaluate where we’re at.”
The Braves are off again Monday after finishing their series at Oakland on Sunday.
About the Author
