Braves Promote Top Pitching Prospect Didier Fuentes to Opening Day Roster

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The Atlanta Braves have decided to break camp with top pitching prospect Didier Fuentes on their Opening Day roster, though the 20-year-old right-hander will be used out of the bullpen to start the season. Fuentes has been dominant in spring training, posting a 0.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 9 innings, but the Braves will look to ease him into the majors in a relief role initially before potentially transitioning him to the starting rotation.

Why it matters

Fuentes is considered one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, and his inclusion on the Opening Day roster at just 20 years old is a surprising but potentially savvy move by the organization. The Braves have a talented but injury-prone starting rotation, so Fuentes could play an important role this season as both a reliever and potential spot starter.

The details

Fuentes, the Braves' No. 3 prospect, has been lights-out in spring training, not allowing a hit, run or walk in 9 innings while racking up 17 strikeouts. However, the Braves have decided to break camp with him in the bullpen rather than slotting him into the starting rotation to begin the year. The young right-hander made his MLB debut last season, struggling with a 13.85 ERA in 4 starts, but the Braves are hoping he can translate his dominant spring training performance to success in a relief role.

• Fuentes made his MLB debut in 2025.
• Fuentes has had a superb spring training in 2026, posting a 0.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 9 innings.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Fuentes will look to translate his dominant spring training performance to success in a relief role to start the 2026 season with the Braves. If he continues to impress, he could earn a spot in the starting rotation later in the year.