Bartolo Colon: Designated For Assignment After Last Start

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bartolo Colon has been designated for assignment after last start. Colon’s ERA through 13 starts this season is 8.13, the worst in the Majors. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Following yet another rough outing on Wednesday night in San Diego, the Braves finally did the inevitable on Thursday morning, as they designated righty Bartolo Colon for assignment. On Wednesday, the 44 year old Colon surrendered six earned runs over just four innings pitched against a Padres lineup that is dead last in the Majors in runs scored this season. Following his outing, Colon’s ERA through 13 starts this season stood at 8.13, the worst in the Majors among qualified starters.

It’s easy to see why the Braves wanted to add Colon to the mix this offseason. Coming off a 15 win season last year with the Mets, Colon, along with Dickey and Garcia were brought in to help bridge the gap until younger starters in the Minors were ready to make the jump to the Big Leagues. Unfortunately, Colon didn’t work out the way anyone in the Front Office had hoped, so moving in a different direction was a must.

There’s no denying the positive impact Colon had on the clubhouse over the last four months. Younger players, especially pitchers, noted what a great teammate he was and how much they’ve learned from being around him this year. But in this League, it’s about results, and Bartolo simply wasn’t getting the job done. The club gave him one last chance to try and right the ship on Wednesday, but unfortunately the game was all but over by the bottom of the fourth inning. It will be interesting to see if a team that’s desperate for starting pitching (like his former club, the Mets) has any interest in the veteran starter, but I’d be shocked if we see Colon make another start in the Big Leagues again.

@KevinMcAlpin covers the Braves for @680_The_Fan and the @BravesRadioNet.

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