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By the People, for the People
Braves adding 20-year-old flamethrower Didier Fuentes to Opening Day roster
Atlanta's bullpen will get a boost from the young right-hander with a blazing fastball.
Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:09pm
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The Atlanta Braves are adding 20-year-old right-handed pitcher Didier Fuentes to their Opening Day roster, according to reports. Fuentes, the Braves' No. 3 prospect, has impressed in spring training with his overpowering fastball and will join the team's bullpen to start the season.
Why it matters
The Braves have faced a rash of injuries to their pitching staff this spring, including losing starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep to elbow procedures and Joey Wentz to a torn ACL. Bringing up the young Fuentes gives them a power arm to help fill those bullpen gaps.
The details
Fuentes has dominated in spring training, throwing nine hitless innings with 17 strikeouts and no walks. He got a brief taste of the majors last season, struggling with a 13.50 ERA in four starts, but the Braves see similarities between Fuentes and their young breakout starter Spencer Strider. Fuentes' fastball averaged 96 mph in his MLB debut and is considered his best pitch, with a slider as his top secondary offering.
- Fuentes will be added to the Braves' Opening Day roster on March 26, 2026.
- Last season, Fuentes made his MLB debut with the Braves, appearing in four games.
The players
Didier Fuentes
A 20-year-old right-handed pitcher who is the Braves' No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Walt Weiss
The new manager of the Atlanta Braves.
Spencer Strider
A young Braves starting pitcher that Fuentes has been compared to.
Spencer Schwellenbach
A Braves pitcher who was placed on the 60-day injured list after undergoing an elbow procedure.
Hurston Waldrep
A Braves pitcher who was placed on the 60-day injured list after undergoing an elbow procedure.
What they’re saying
“There's some parallels there. For sure. The way that Strider broke in [the Majors].”
— Walt Weiss, Braves Manager
What’s next
The Braves will monitor Fuentes' performance in the bullpen to start the season and determine if he is ready for a more prominent role in the rotation down the line.
The takeaway
The Braves are turning to their top pitching prospect Didier Fuentes to help shore up their injury-depleted pitching staff, betting on his electric stuff to make an immediate impact in the bullpen despite his limited professional experience.
