Jesse Biddle will have time to fix himself physically and mentally during an injured-list stint.
The struggling Braves lefty was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, providing him a needed break following the worst stretch of his career.
Numbers won’t illustrate Biddle’s command issues, but Friday’s latest stumble – which included him getting hit with a ball, landing him on the IL – capped his issues. Since April 16, Biddle has walked eight in 2-2/3 innings, two with the bases loaded.
“I’m really frustrated and pretty confused,” Biddle said. “But that’s part of the deal. I’m a professional. It’s my job to take the ball every time they call my name. … Truthfully, I’m just not executing my game. I’m not seeing the same snap on all my pitches. It’s not consistent. I need to focus on being more consistent.”
Manager Brian Snitker has tried pinpointing spots for Biddle to succeed, but to no avail. Taking a break from games might be the best thing for Biddle at this time.
“With the leg like that, you don’t want him to do something with his delivery that’d hurt his arm,” Snitker said. “His arm is fine. If we give it a few days, he’ll be back pitching and get himself back going.”
Overcoming difficult, injury-ridden circumstances, Biddle finally made his debut last April. He became an integral part of the bullpen, striking out 67 and walking 31. The Braves again counted on him being a key southpaw in a delicate bullpen.
This season has trended the opposite way. Every outing, Biddle sought any positives to carry into his next. He repeatedly said he wanted the ball, knowing that the next day was a chance to right his wrongs. Instead he fell deeper in the hole.
The new hope: A brief escape could be his elixir.
“That’s how I’m going to take it,” Biddle said. “I have to keep a positive attitude and know it’s going to come together. And if I have some time away, rehab my injury and be able to get my mind right, then that’s how I’m going to use it.”
