Newcomb (1-1) came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 14-10 loss to the Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks over 5.1 innings while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander seemed well on his way to his second win of the year before Chicago hung nine runs on Atlanta's bullpen in the eighth inning. Newcomb threw 65 of 109 pitches for strikes, and while efficiency remains elusive for him, his 22:8 K:BB in 15.2 innings speaks to his upside. He'll next take the mound Thursday at home against the Mets.

Newcomb (1-1) struck out nine across six scoreless innings en route to a victory in Sunday's start against the Rockies, allowing five hits with no walks.

EDGE Analysis

In one of the most difficult matchups imaginable, Newcomb came through with one of the best outings of his young career. He threw 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, inducing 15 swinging strikes. The lefty also got seven groundball outs and didn't allow an extra-base hit. Newcomb looked shaky in his first start of the season, but this was an excellent bounce-back performance ahead of next weekend's scheduled start against the Cubs.

Newcomb (0-1) allowed five runs on five hits and four walks across 4.1 innings while taking a loss in Monday's start against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The visitors reached Newcomb early in this one, plating five runs in the first two innings, including a three-run home run from Bryce Harper. Newcomb threw 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, but he was unable to get timely outs and walked four batters for the eighth time in 20 career starts. All things considered, fantasy owners should temper expectations for his next start on the road against the Rockies.

Newcomb will start the fourth game of the season for the Braves on Monday as they begin a three-game home series against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The big left-hander could be poised for a breakout 2018. After posting a 9.7 K/9 and ghastly 5.1 BB/9 in 19 big-league starts last season, Newcomb set the hearts of fantasy general managers a-fluttering this spring when he flashed improved control, putting together a 15:5 K:BB in 15.1 innings. If the 24-year-old can find the plate more often this year, his otherwise impressive arsenal should allow him to finish the season at the front of the Braves' rotation rather than at the back of it.

Newcomb allowed one run on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Saturday while striking out three in a split-squad game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

After being officially named to the Braves' rotation earlier in the day, Newcomb went out and walked more batters in one start than he had in the entire spring to that point. The lefty still has a strong 15:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings, but after walking an unacceptable 12.5 percent of the batters he faced during his big-league debut in 2017, Newcomb will need to do a better job of harnessing his arsenal if he's going to be a reliable fantasy asset.

Newcomb will begin the 2018 season in the Braves' starting rotation, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb had a respectable debut season in Atlanta last season with a 4.32 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 19 starts after being called up in June. The 24-year-old had a solid 9.7 K/9 in 2017 but his 5.1 BB/9 could use some improvement, and hopefully he can carry over his spring training success (two walks over 10.2 innings) to the regular season.

Newcomb retired all 14 batters he faced, striking out six of them, in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Philly was trotting out a typical spring road lineup that only featured four players likely to be among its Opening Day starters, but this was still a very exciting performance by Newcomb. The 24-year-old now has a 12:2 K:BB through 10.2 spring frames, and if the improved control he's shown in that limited sample carries forward into the regular season, he could pay big fantasy dividends as a late-round sleeper.

Newcomb could make his first start of the season for Triple-A Gwinnett as the Braves won't need a fifth starter until Apr. 10, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old lefty is in no danger of losing his rotation spot, but given that he has minor-league options left, Newcomb could spend the first week-plus of the season in the minors so that the team can carry an extra bench bat or reliever. He's had a solid start to his spring, posting a 6:2 K:BB in six innings, and Newcomb's ability to curb his wildness after turning in a 5.1 BB/9 over 100 innings last year in his big-league debut will go a long way towards determining whether he has any kind of 2018 breakout.

Newcomb gave up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over three innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

A Teoscar Hernandez solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Newcomb's performance. The left-hander now has a 6:2 K:BB through six innings this spring, a figure that would represent a marked improvement on his 1.89 K/BB last season as a rookie if he's able to carry it forward into the regular season. Newcomb seems locked into the fifth starter role for the Braves, but his fantasy value will hinge on sharpening his control.

Newcomb is in the running for one of the final two spots in the Braves' rotation entering spring training, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The only three hurlers assured a spot in the rotation at this point are Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz and Brandon McCarthy. This leaves the final two spots open for the taking, and O'Brien makes it seem like it's currently a four-horse race between Newcomb, Luiz Gohara, Scott Kazmir (hip) and Max Fried. Gohara seems to have a leg up on the other two candidates thanks to his success in the majors last season, but Newcomb certainly has a good reason to claim the other spot. The 24-year-old held his own during his rookie season last year, posting a passable 4.32 ERA to go with a 9.7 K/9. Newcomb's issues with command turn some people off, but a strong spring would certainly give him an excellent chance to be a mainstay in Atlanta's rotation.