SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Mike Foltynewicz told his teammates that he felt like crying after making his Rangers debut in Sunday’s Cactus League game against the Dodgers. Manager Chris Woodward said the right-hander was hyped up in the dugout when he finished the second inning, going to hug pitching coach Doug Mathis before remembering COVID protocols.
In the 4-3 win, Foltynewicz -- whom the Rangers signed from the Braves this offseason -- pitched two perfect innings with one strikeout. He was credited with the win. It was Foltynewicz’s first big league appearance since July 27, 2020, when he was designated for assignment after giving up six earned runs over 3 1/3 innings against the Rays.
“Physically, I felt great,” Foltynewicz said. “I think just the nerves in my heart felt like it was gonna explode because it's been a while since I've been out in the game like that.
“I think I was just more nervous about getting this one out of the way just because of everything that happened. I just want to put all this behind me and keep working on all the things I've been working on. But I felt great out there -- arm, body and everything.”
Woodward said the innings from Foltynewicz exceeded his expectations, even if it is early in spring. He thinks Foltynewicz being able to go out and look like his old self was important, both physically and mentally.
“It's a long season and this is obviously step one,” Woodward said. “I think he's gonna get a really good night's sleep tonight because he's been working on this for a long time and it meant the world to him to kind of get back out there.”
A drop in velocity was Foltynewicz’s biggest issue during 2020 Spring Training and Summer Camp. In his one '20 outing, his fastball averaged 90.4 mph and topped out at 92.9 mph. On Sunday against the Dodgers, it was between 93-95 mph for most of his outing and topped out at 97.
Foltynewicz said he took a peek at the radar after his first pitch of the game -- a flyout from Mookie Betts -- and saw it had hit 95 mph on the gun. He was able to take a deep breath and keep attacking the zone after that.
“For all this to play out right now in the first Spring Training game and to just see those numbers, that tick of confidence goes up a little bit more,” Foltynewicz said. “Just knowing I've had success with that kind of velo, and if I can maintain, all my stuff works off of the velo -- my slider, changeup, curveball -- I’m in a very good spot right now.”
When his fastball is hitting on all cylinders like it was Sunday, Foltynewicz said the rest of his pitches follow.
Woodward and president of baseball operations Jon Daniels both said all offseason that they were confident Foltynewicz would be back to his 2018-19 form. A National League All-Star with the Braves in 2018, he posted a 2.85 ERA and was the Game 1 starter for their postseason run that season.
Foltynewicz said the biggest issue with his velocity drop was his weight loss, which he put back on this offseason. He made multiple adjustments, both based on strength and technique in order to return to form.
Foltynewicz is using his legs a lot more now than he was, even in his peak years. He said he got rid of some of his more “lazy” pitching habits and cleaned up his mechanics, pushing off his quad more than his glute and hamstring.
Woodward said the best thing about Foltynewicz is that he wasn’t forcing it.
“He was just kind of driving down the mound,” Woodward said. “It just allowed him to kind of free flow down the mountain and get an easy 95 [mph]. It's a really positive sign. Hopefully, we can sustain it. It's great to do it once or twice, but obviously we want this guy to pitch a lot for us, so to keep it consistent is going to be the key.”
Foltynewicz was most excited about his family being in Surprise Stadium for his Rangers debut. His kids -- a 3-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter -- are finally starting to understand that he’s a professional baseball player. He said having them there makes him want to fuel the fire even more on the mound.
“Those kind of heartwarming things kind of take your mind away from baseball a little bit,” Foltynewicz said. “I just think about how good your life is and all that stuff and for them to be able to be here to support me now, especially during these times, means the world.”