The 60 game season has put players on an unusual short leash, with managers giving little time for players to develop themselves if they are struggling early on. Despite an All-Star season in 2018, and multiple playoff starts, the Atlanta Braves pitcher with one of the hardest names in baseball to pronounce, best known as Folty, was designated for assignment.
Folty allowed 6 runs, 3 homers, and 4 walks in a short 3 1/3 inning outing on Monday night. The Braves lost 14-5 to Tampa Bay in the game, and the 28-year-old player had clearly lost weight to go along with a big dip in velocity, both signs that things were not right with the right-hander.
He was designated for assignment on Tuesday, but no team decided to take on his $2.3 million, the remaining money owed for his 2020 contract. Folty cleared waivers and was designated for assignment at the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett alternate sight.
Atlanta is hoping that he can regain his strength and redefine his pitching mechanics like he did last year when he came back from a two-month stint in Triple-A to finish the season a strong 6-1 with a 2.65 ERA. His ups and downs continued in the postseason as he dominated Game 2 of the NLDS with seven shutout innings against St. Louis, before completely falling apart in decisive Game 5, when he allowed 6 runs and recorded only one out in a 13-1 loss.
