Touki Toussaint will get the first crack at replacing Mike Foltynewicz in the Atlanta Braves’ rotation Brian Snitker confirmed during his pregame media session Friday. Toussaint will start Saturday’s game against the Mets and could throw about 65-75 pitches according to Snitker. Toussaint allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings in relief of Foltynewicz earlier this week. He did strike out six while issuing just one walk.
The Braves had considered going with an opener for Saturday’s game. Veterans Josh Tomlin and Jhoulys Chacin would have been options as well. Toussaint made just one start among his 24 appearances for the Braves in 2019.
Will Smith update
Braves reliever Will Smith threw another side session off a mound on Thursday. He is slated to face batters in live BP in a couple of days and will then get into a sim game a couple of days after that. Smith was one of four players who tested positive for COVID-19 during intake screening.
Nick Markakis working out at Gwinnett
Snitker confirmed that Nick Markakis was working out at the team’s alternate training site at Gwinnett and is getting live at-bats. Snitker added that Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos went over to watch Markakis on Thursday morning. There is still no timetable for when he might join the active roster.
Ozzie Albies gets a day off
Ozzie Albies is out of the Braves’ lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Mets. Snitker acknowledged that Albies had some stiffness one of his wrists Thursday but was just getting the day off and would be available off the bench. Snitker said he expects Albies to be back in the lineup on Saturday.