Braves ‘not optimistic’ Foltynewicz makes next start

Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz of the Braves throws to a Washington Nationals batter on Thursday night. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz of the Braves throws to a Washington Nationals batter on Thursday night. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Braves don’t expect Mike Foltynewicz to make his next start Monday in New York. Foltynewicz left his Sept. 14 outing in Washington with a lacerated finger and missed his scheduled start Wednesday.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said the team will play it by ear, but will be cautious.

“I don’t know. (Pitching coach) Chuck (Hernandez) wasn’t optimistic about Monday,” he said. “But we’ll just wait, get through the weekend and see. Still not sure he’ll be ready to put that stress on it.”

Foltynewicz owns a 4.79 ERA across a career-high 154 innings (28 starts). His 2.6 runs per game support is the second worst among six Braves starters who’ve thrown 60 or more innings (behind Sean Newcomb, 2.0).

Lucas Sims filled in for Foltynewicz on Wednesday, pitching five innings and allowing one run, which Snitker said actually exceeded expectations.

“It was a great start,” Snitker said. “You love seeing that out of him. He executed pitches, threw the ball where he wanted to.”

Sims and Max Fried are the two probable starters for the doubleheader against the Mets on Monday.

“Lucas and Fried will be gassed up and ready to go,” Snitker said.