Braves could use six-man rotation when Colon comes off DL

Sean Newcomb (pictured) was so good in his major league debut Saturday, Braves manager Brian Snitker said he could stay with the team even if that means going to a six-man rotation at least temporarily after Bartolo Colon comes off the disabled list. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Sean Newcomb (pictured) was so good in his major league debut Saturday, Braves manager Brian Snitker said he could stay with the team even if that means going to a six-man rotation at least temporarily after Bartolo Colon comes off the disabled list. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

WASHINGTON – Braves managers have mentioned six-man starting rotation possibilities a few times in recent seasons only to ultimately abandon the idea. But this time, it might actually come to fruition, at least as a temporary solution once Bartolo Colon returns from the disabled list.

After the outstanding major league debut by prospect Sean Newcomb in a Saturday start against the Mets, the Braves seem understandably reluctant to send Newcomb back to Triple-A. And they don’t seem ready to give up just yet on Colon, 44, who has a $12.5 million salary and a 2-7 record and a 7.78 ERA that is the worst among major league starters.

Manager Brian Snitker mentioned the possibility of going with an extra starter, a six-man rotation, when asked Wednesday about Colon, who has been on the 10-day DL for just over a week what the team said was a left oblique strain. He’s eligible to return Friday but won’t be back quite that soon.

“I might just pitch six for a while, a time or two around (through the rotation),” Snitker said. “That’s definitely an option.”

Newcomb will make his second start Friday in a series opener against the Marlins at SunTrust Park, after the Braves’ day off Thursday. In his debut Saturday, the big left-hander limited the Mets to four hits, one unearned run and two walks (one intentional) with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

“The fastball, the breaking-ball command — they didn’t swing at him real good,” Snitker said. “It was about as good as you can get right there, the first start. I’m anxious to see him go again.”

Asked if Newcomb would stick around if he pitched well again, Snitker said, “Yeah, absolutely, I’m assuming he would (if he keeps pitching well).”

The Colon injury drew plenty of raised eyebrows when it was announced last week, one day after Colon’s latest poor start had caused mounting speculation that Colon could be released and plenty of suggestions that he should be.

Colon traveled with the Braves to Washington for their three-game series against the Nationals Monday through Wednesday, an unusual step since he was not eligible to come off the DL until Friday. He made the trip in order to keep working pitching coach Chuck Hernandez as they attempt to get the former Cy Young Award winner and baseball’s oldest active player back on track.

“He’ll throw another side, then we’ll just probably start figuring that out after the off day (Thursday),” Snitker said. “Kind of get things mapped ahead.”