If things go as planned, Mike Foltynewicz will be back in the Braves rotation in less than two weeks and make a pair of starts before the All-Star break.
The hard-throwing right-hander, on the 15-day disabled list with bone spurs in his pitching elbow, is scheduled to pitch five innings in a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Gwinnett, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said, then make one more minor league start before rejoining the Braves rotation.
That could put him on schedule to return to the Braves rotation July 5 against Philadelphia, and start July 10 against the White Sox in the last game before the All-Star break.
Foltynewicz has been on the DL since June 4, retroactive to May 31, the day after his impressive last start. He allowed three hits and one run in a win against the Giants in that game, reducing his ERA to 3.51.
He had an MRI that showed no structural damage in his elbow, just small bone spurs causing discomfort – not so much when he pitched, Foltynewicz said, but in other activities such as brushing his teeth or removing his jersey.
Assured that many pitchers and position players were able to avoid surgery and continue playing by following a protocol including icing and medication, Foltynewicz said he wanted to let the inflammation subside and then ease back into the situation of pitching with the condition. So far, so good.
“He’s going five innings Saturday at Gwinnett,” Snitker said. “He did the three innings (simulated game conditions) and felt great, now it’s just a matter of getting him to 75 (pitches) Saturday and then probably 90-95 the next time. So he’s looking good.
“Two starts and then he’ll be up. Hopefully we’re looking at (having him for) two starts before the break.”
