Mike Foltynewicz's dismal season has gotten even worse.
The Atlanta Braves optioned the struggling right-hander to Triple-A Gwinnett before Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals, the team announced.
One season after being an All-Star and a Cy Young Award contender, Foltynewicz has posted a career-worst 6.37 ERA in 11 starts. He's also allowed 16 home runs, just one shy of the 17 he gave up in 31 appearances during 2018.
In his latest rough outing, the 27-year-old gave up eight earned runs in four innings against the Nationals on Saturday.
"I thought he had turned the corner, but I’m seeing signs this year of him going right back to where he was two or three years ago," Braves manager Brian Snitker said, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. "Nobody can take care of that other than him. He has to be the one who controls that."
Foltynewicz held himself accountable following Saturday's performance.
"I've got a seven ERA on a first-place team," he said. "It's just tough. I'm battling every night. It's just tough. It's just the person I am. I’m going to wear that stuff on my sleeve, especially when things aren’t going my way. It’s just tough. It's all my fault, too."
Snitker hasn't decided who will take Foltynewicz's spot in the rotation, but acknowledged he would prefer to keep former starter Sean Newcomb in the bullpen for now, according to AJC's Gabe Burns.
In a corresponding move, the Braves recalled pitcher Chad Sobotka.
