Braves buoyed by starting pitching depth

ATLANTA -- Now that Max Fried has earned another start and Mike Foltynewicz has moved one rehab start away from being activated, the Braves are starting to feel good about the depth of a starting rotation that will likely be routinely altered throughout the season.

Once whole, the base of the Braves’ rotation will consist of Foltynewicz, Julio Teheran and Kevin Gausman, who came off the injured list to start Friday night’s game against the Marlins. Sean Newcomb could become a part of this mix if he impresses on Sunday and over possible starts that could follow.

But with Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson, Michael Soroka, Touki Toussaint and Fried all standing as rotation options, the Braves have the option to send Newcomb to Triple-A Gwinnett. The left-hander certainly did not alleviate concerns about his command when he allowed six hits and issued four walks while completing just four innings against the Cubs on Monday.

Regardless of how Newcomb progresses, Wright, Wilson, Fried, Toussaint and Soroka will all factor into the rotation plans throughout the season. They all can be shifted between the Atlanta and Gwinnett rosters, so they could share the fifth spot on a rotating basis or possibly fill a regular rotation role when necessary.

Soroka, who was shut down during the first week of Spring Training with a right shoulder ailment, and Wilson, who struggled during last Saturday’s start in Philadelphia, may both benefit from the chance to get in a groove with Gwinnett before being deemed candidates for Atlanta’s roster.

Fried made a strong impression as he limited the Cubs to one baserunner over six scoreless innings Thursday. The 25-year-old southpaw will likely start Tuesday’s game at Coors Field. But the Braves will likely be judicious with his workload given he has never completed more than 118 innings during a professional season.

In mapping out the current rotation’s schedule, Fried would also be in line to start April 14, which is the same day Foltynewicz could return from the injured list. The Braves have an off-day scheduled for April 15, so they will have some flexibility as they decide where to fit in Foltynewicz and exactly how to utilize Fried, Wright and Newcomb over the next few weeks.

Foltynewicz’s previously ailing right elbow responded well after he threw 56 pitches over five no-hit innings for Gwinnett Thursday night. He’ll attempt to push his pitch count closer to 80 when he returns next week to make what could be his final rehab start.

“[Folty] was bouncing around the clubhouse here today,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think he’s really encouraged about where he’s at, how he feels and how the ball is coming out. The reports were really good.”