Veteran starter Brandon McCarthy is with the Braves, and they don’t plan to have him start him again until at least before next week, but that doesn’t mean he’ll move to the bullpen. At least not before Friday.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said McCarthy would not be available to pitch out of the bullpen during a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday against the Blue Jays because the Braves aren’t certain yet whether Mike Foltynewicz will be ready to start Sunday.
They plan to have Foltynewicz (right triceps tightness) come off the 10-day DL to start Sunday, provided he feels normal in a bullpen side session later this week. Foltynewicz, who ranks among major league leaders with a 2.16 ERA in 14 starts, hasn’t pitched since working five scoreless innings and allowed two hits June 12. He’ll come off the DL without a rehab assignment, provided his side session goes well.
The Braves will start Anibal Sanchez in Wednesday’s series finale against the Blue Jays, then after a day off Thursday they plan to start Sean Newcomb in Friday’s home-series opener against Baltimore, followed by Julio Teheran on Saturday.
That means they’re skipping McCarthy, with off days in the schedule Tuesday and Thursday, allowing the Braves to do so and still provide normal or extra rest for other starters.
McCarthy started Friday in the Braves’ only loss during a 5-1 homestand. They have lost the past four games started by the right-hander, who has a 5.40 ERA with 26 homers, including six homers allowed in 21-2/3 innings over those four starts.
Of the Braves’ three losses in their past nine games before Tuesday, two were starts by McCarthy.
The Braves currently have six starters including Foltynewicz and Sanchez, a veteran who has pitched well since returning from a DL stint and likely would be a hard choice to move out of the rotation given his performance. Snitker earlier indicated that a starter could be sent to the bullpen, but hasn’t said who it would be.
McCarthy is 5-3 with a 4.89 ERA in 14 starts this season.
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