Atlanta Braves to use six-man rotation upon Bartolo Colon’s return
In a creative decision, the Atlanta Braves will use a six-man rotation when Bartolo Colon returns this week.
The Atlanta Braves will take a bit of an unconventional approach to their starting rotation in the near future. According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the team will activate Bartolo Colon from the ten-day disabled list and place him straight into the starting rotation.
In doing so, the Braves will completely skip minor league rehab starts for the veteran and instead let him readjust in the major leagues. To add to the uniqueness of the situation, manager Brian Snitker said that the team will use a six-man rotation. Colon will pitch alongside Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, R.A. Dickey, Jaime Garcia, and Sean Newcomb. The team expects to make the changes on Wednesday.
This season has not gone well by any measure for Bartolo Colon. He landed on the disabled list a week or so ago with an oblique injury. The decision, however, was mired in confusion as Colon had publically maintained the stance that he was healthy. Even the night before the Atlanta Braves placed him on the disabled list, he told the media that all was well.
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When healthy, the 44-year-old has played quite poorly. Armed with a fastball that rides in the low 90s, the righty has allowed 51 earned runs in 59 innings. Advanced metrics have a similarly pessimistic view of his work. Most suggest that an earned run average around five would fit his performance.
One factor that may have contributed to the decision to switch to a six-man rotation instead of cutting Colon loose is his current salary. The Braves inked the veteran to a one-year deal worth $12.5 million before the season, and they certainly would like to see some return on their investment. It is entirely possible that Colon turns things around. After all, his batting average on balls in play and left on-base percentage suggest that bad luck may be depressing his early-season statistics.
Not only will the Atlanta Braves have an opportunity to reclaim some value from Bartolo Colon, but they will also be able to give Sean Newcomb some extra rest. Newcomb, who turned 24 years old last Monday, has only made two major-league starts so far. He pitched exceptionally well in his inaugural appearance but fumbled a bit the second time around. Utilizing a six-man rotation will allow him to develop at a slower pace at the highest level.
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It is also worth noting that the extended rotation is only a temporary solution, and Snitker said this himself. Given the team’s struggles and distant playoff dreams, they could trade a starting pitcher and return to the standard five-man rotation within the next few weeks.