Atlanta optioned Fuentes to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
Fuentes wasn't going to be available to pitch for a few days after allowing one earned run over four relief innings in Sunday's loss to the Royals. He will enter the Gwinnett rotation so he can stay stretched out and could get an opportunity to start some games with Atlanta sooner rather than later. Martin Perez is taking Fuentes' spot on the active roster and could start Tuesday at home against the Athletics.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Excels in long relief
Rotowire
Fuentes struck out four and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk across four innings of relief in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Royals.
Following an outstanding spring training in which he turned in a 0.66 ERA, 0.22 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB across 13.2 innings, Fuentes was able to clinch a spot on the Opening Day roster. Though Atlanta has an opening in its rotation while Spencer Strider (oblique) is on the mend, Fuentes looks like he'll have to settle for a multi-inning relief role early on. In his season debut Sunday, the young right-hander ended up piggybacking starter Grant Holmes. With only four swinging strikes on 56 pitches, Fuentes didn't look as dominant as he had been in the Grapefruit League, but he pounded the zone and was able to limit hard contact. Jose Suarez or Martin Perez would appear to be the leading candidates to get the ball when a fifth starter is first needed Tuesday against the Athletics, but Fuentes has done his part to earn a look in the rotation later this season.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Remains in line for relief role
Rotowire
Manager Walt Weiss indicated that he still plans to deploy Fuentes out of the bullpen to begin the season, even after Atlanta announced Monday that Spencer Strider (oblique) will open the 2026 campaign on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Strider had been scheduled to make his final spring start Monday against the Pirates, but that assignment will instead fall to Fuentes after Strider was scratched due to an oblique strain. Though Fuentes' pitching schedule aligns with Strider's, Atlanta doesn't intend to deviate from its early-season plan with the 20-year-old righty, who is expected to work as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for the first couple weeks of the season before moving to Triple-A Gwinnett to resume starting. Jose Suarez and Martin Perez are the leading candidates to replace Strider in the rotation when his first turn comes up March 31 versus the Athletics, but Fuentes may not have to wait long for a starting opportunity with the big club if he continues to dazzle in relief for the big club and in the rotation at Gwinnett. Fuentes was one of the stars of spring training for Atlanta, tossing nine scoreless, no-hit frames while posting a 17:0 K:BB over his three Grapefruit League outings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Beginning in long relief
Rotowire
Atlanta plans to utilize Fuentes as a long reliever for the first couple weeks of the season before sending him to work as a starter at Triple-A Gwinnett, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
It was reported Saturday that Fuentes would be included on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, and it's not a surprise he'll work in long relief after covering at least three frames in each of his three Grapefruit League appearances. The 20-year-old righty was dominant this spring, finishing with a 17:0 K:BB across nine scoreless and hitless innings. Fuentes may not open the campaign in Atlanta's rotation, but he could still get that opportunity at some point in 2026, especially if Bryce Elder stumbles out of the gate.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Baffles Yankees with slider
Rotowire
Fuentes struck out five over three perfect innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the 20-year-old right-hander maintained the elevated velocity he's been showing in camp, averaging 97.1 mph with his four-seamer and topping out at 98.7 mph, but it was his slider that gave Yankee hitters like Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham the most trouble. Fuentes has sharpened the pitch since last year, when Statcast classified it as a sweeper due to its slower speed, and he generated whiffs on four of the six sliders he threw Friday while averaging 87.0 mph with it. Atlanta pitching coach Jeremy Hefner also likes the progress Fuentes has made with his changeup. Fuentes is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he could be just one more injury away from joining the big-league rotation. Through five spring innings in two appearances, he hasn't allowed a run or hit with a 9:0 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Hits IL at Triple-A
Rotowire
Triple-A Gwinnett placed Fuentes on its 7-day injured list Aug. 10 due to an unspecified injury.
Fuentes hadn't pitched for Gwinnett since Aug. 2 before the Triple-A club deactivated him a week later. Following a rough four-start run with Atlanta before being optioned July 9, Fuentes had returned to form in the minors prior to being shut down, logging a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB in 17.2 innings over four appearances for Gwinnett.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Sent back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Fuentes to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
Despite Atlanta having two long-term openings in its rotation with all of Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Chris Sale (ribs) and Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list, Fuentes hasn't pitched well enough to justify sticking around with the big club. After getting tagged for eight earned runs and lasting just one inning in his most recent outing in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Athletics, the 20-year-old right hander has submitted a 13.85 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 13 frames through his first four big-league outings. Nathan Wiles was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will likely fill one of the open spots in the rotation this weekend in St. Louis.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Runs up pitch count in no-decision
Rotowire
Fuentes did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Angels, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six across 3.2 innings.
Fuentes put Atlanta behind early, as he yielded a two-run single to Jo Adell in the first. Fuentes kept the Halos off the board for the rest of his outing, and he managed to generate 10 whiffs and log a season-high six punchouts while pushing his pitch count up to 92 pitches (52 strikes). Fuentes has not made it through four innings in each of his last two outings and has given up 12 runs over his first 12 big-league innings. He's adjusting to major-league hitting, but his call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett was out of necessity with four Atlanta starters on the injured list, most recently Chris Sale (ribs) and Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow). Fuentes is lined up to make his next start on the road against the Athletics next week.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Hit hard in loss
Rotowire
Fuentes (0-2) was the pitcher of record in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Mets, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and no walks with one strikeout over 3.1 innings.
Fuentes opened with two scoreless innings but was charged with six runs while failing to escape the fourth. He generated just five swinging strikes on 74 pitches and has now surrendered 10 earned runs with a 4:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings across his first two major-league starts. Atlanta has an off day coming up Monday, which could allow the team to reorder its rotation and delay Fuentes' next start until July 5 versus the Orioles. If Atlanta elects to keep its rotation order intact, however, Fuentes would likely make his next turn Tuesday versus the Angels.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Receiving another start
Rotowire
Fuentes is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.
When he was initially called up from Triple-A Gwinnett last week to make his MLB debut, Fuentes was expected to make a spot start before returning to the minors. However, with Chris Sale being diagnosed over the weekend with a fractured left ribcage that will keep him on the shelf through at least the All-Star break, Fuentes should be in store for multiple turns through the rotation. Though the 20-year-old righty is regarded as one of Atlanta's top prospects, he had a so-so debut outing last Friday against a weak Miami offense, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings. He'll make for a risky streaming option while he takes the hill for his second start in a tougher matchup Wednesday on the road against the Mets.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Allows four runs in debut
Rotowire
Fuentes (0-1) took the loss after throwing five innings, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three during Friday's 6-2 loss to the Marlins.
Fuentes' rapid rise through the Atlanta minor-league system culminated with his first career MLB start Friday. He displayed his electric stuff and picked up his first MLB strikeout in the second inning against Dane Myers, and Fuentes ended up battling his way through five innings. The big blemish was a three-run home run surrendered to Agustin Ramirez, but otherwise it was a good debut for the 20-year-old right-hander. The expectation is that this was just a spot start to give all of the starters an extra day of rest, so he'll likely be sent back down to the minors soon.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Promoted ahead of MLB debut
Rotowire
Atlanta selected Fuentes' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
Fuentes will make his major-league debut Friday with a start in Miami. The 20-year-old began the season at the High-A level but was recently promoted to Gwinnett, and he has collected a 2.41 ERA and 23:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings covering his last four outings. It's expected to be just a spot start for Fuentes as Atlanta looks to give its regular rotation members some extra rest.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Healthy again, moves to Triple-A
Rotowire
Fuentes (hand) debuted for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, covering 4.2 innings and striking out six batters while allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks.
Double-A Columbus had placed Fuentes on its 7-day injured list May 27 due to a blister on his pitching hand, but rather than reporting to a lower-level affiliate for a rehab assignment or slotting back into the Double-A rotation, the right-hander was surprisingly moved up to Gwinnett for his first start coming off the injury once he was activated Friday. The 20-year-old turned in an impressive debut for Gwinnett and has continued to elevate his standing as a prospect in 2025 after a strong showing in the Carolina League a season ago.
