Mike Foltynewicz hoping to return soon

Braves right hander Mike Foltynewicz played catch on Thursday for the first time since hitting the disabled list due to Pneumonia according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Foltynewicz is hopeful that he will be able to ramp up his activities and will be able to return soon.

"It just [stinks] that something like that sidelined me," Foltynewicz said. "It wasn't an actual injury or anything. I just got sick. I feel really bad because I put my teammates in a bad situation."

The Braves have juggled their starting rotation recently. Williams Perez was recalled from Gwinnett earlier than was planned. Ryan Weber made his major league debut earlier this week and is scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against the Mets. Matt Wisler will start in place of Manny Banuelos, who was scratched due to a sore elbow, on Friday.

Foltynewicz has had an up and down season with the Braves bouncing back and forth between Atlanta and Gwinnett while also seeing a stint in the bullpen. He threw five strong innings in his last appearance at Colorado before heading to the DL so there was some optimism.

Given his lack of activity, it may still be a week or so before Foltynewicz is able to return. Once he does, it is likely that he will be coming out of the bullpen at least until he is able to regain his stamina.