PHILADELPHIA -- When Mike Foltynewicz recorded just nine outs in Thursday night's 8-2 loss to the Pirates, he became the second Braves starting pitcher to complete fewer than four innings within a three-day span. Thus, there was a need to provide yet another Minor Leaguer a chance to serve as a long reliever in Atlanta's bullpen this weekend.
The latest exchange of long relievers was completed on Friday, when John Gant was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett and Joel De La Cruz's contract was purchased from the same club. Gant threw 38 pitches over 1 1/3 innings of relief on Thursday and thus would have been unavailable to pitch in Friday's opener in Philadelphia.