Lucas Sims will get a second consecutive start Monday with Mike Foltynewicz still affected by a lacerated finger.
Sims, who was shifted to the bullpen after rosters expanded Sept. 1, started in Foltynewicz’s place Wednesday. He pitched five innings and allowed one run, but a bullpen implosion robbed him of a win.
The Braves were impressed by the outing. Braves manager Brian Snitker thinks the time in the bullpen may have benefited Sims.
“Did a good job out of the ’pen,” Snitker said. “Great start. You love seeing that. He executed pitches. He threw the ball where he wanted to. Fastball played up a little bit from the last start. Maybe going in the ’pen and turning that thing loose for short periods ends up being a good thing. He’s a good piece to have. But he didn’t miss very much. Guy kind of jumped him with that first pitch. But other than that, he executed pitches really well.”
Sims said before the start he felt the stint would help him. There's a chance Sims will receive another start before season's end as well, being that Foltynewicz's year might be over.
“(Relief pitching) teaches you when you get thrown into a situation that’s a little sticky, how you reach back for that little extra,” Sims said. “What you need to do to execute the big pitch, get the ground ball, get us back in there with a zero, whatever it may be.”
The Braves like Sims’ versatility. As the higher-caliber prospects rise to the top, Sims may be bumped into a permanent bullpen role. But for now, the team is keeping its options open.
Sims will be one of several young starters vying for a rotation spot in March.
“At the end of spring it’s one of those things where you just kind of see how your staff aligns and whether you want him on – he may make the club as a starter, you don’t know,” Snitker said. “I remember the one year, heaven forbid, we lost two starters within days of each other. That’s why you get more than five of them ready. I think this (bullpen stint) is a good experience for him to do, and I think he’s done a really good job.”
