Braves' rotation solidifying as Newk recalled

As the regular season’s final two weeks unfold, the Braves will continue attempting to fortify a pitching staff that once again includes Sean Newcomb and will soon create space for Cole Hamels.

The Braves began some late-season cleaning on Saturday, when they designated lefty Robbie Erlin for assignment and recalled Newcomb, who is slated to pitch out of the bullpen but could be needed for a spot start.

Braves manger Brian Snitker said Touki Toussaint will be recalled to start Monday’s opener in Baltimore and that Hamels is tentatively scheduled to make his season debut in Wednesday’s series finale against the Orioles. Atlanta has not yet determined who will make Tuesday’s start; candidates for the spot will likely be Newcomb, Huascar Ynoa, Bryse Wilson or whichever long-relief option is available.

By starting Hamels on Wednesday, the Braves will give Max Fried two extra days to recover from the back spasms he battled during last weekend’s start against the Nationals.

Hamels will likely be limited to three or four innings in his first start. But that’s what the Braves have routinely received from a fractured rotation, which included a spot for Newcomb before he was optioned to the alternate training site after producing an 11.20 ERA in four starts.

Newcomb allowed opponents to post a .397 on-base percentage in his first three starts of 2019 before he was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. The lefty returned a month later to join Atlanta’s bullpen and recorded a 3.04 ERA over 51 relief appearances.