Atlanta Braves Mike Foltynewicz Unlikely to Be Ready For Opening Day

The Atlanta Braves are unlikely to have Mike Foltynewicz ready for Opening Day. A fact that means Julio Teheran could yet again be the Braves Opening Day Starter this season.

Mike Foltynewicz was the unquestioned choice to open the season for the Atlanta Braves. Coming off of a breakout season Folty was the clear choice for a team taking on a rival in their opening series.

Early on in spring training, Mike was shut down with elbow soreness. A giant red flag for any pitcher considering the possible implications it could have. For Folty, however, it seems the team remains unconcerned having him back on track to start pitching and be ready for opening week.

This will leave the Braves a difficult choice of who earns the Opening Day nod against the division rival Phillies. The Phillies seem to be the biggest division threat to the Braves considering their offensive talent and wealth of young pitching.

Julio Teheran will be the likely choice considering the rest of the rotation is made up of young pitchers.  Teheran has been inconsistent but has at times been a top of the rotation pitcher for Atlanta.

He has looked better this spring as well, despite giving up early runs he showed move velocity and movement with his pitches then he seemed to have last season. Both encouraging signs for a pitcher who is capable of top of the rotation production.

Foltynewicz’s injury is one the Braves should and will monitor closely considering the potential seriousness of an elbow injury.  If it does prove to be a problem for Folty the Braves must consider all options considering their rotation would be weakened significantly.

Counting on Julio Teheran and a group of unproven pitchers to keep the Braves in games consistently wouldn’t be a good option. More to come as spring training continues.