Braves to Send Down Top Prospect Fuentes After Opening Day Roster Spot

Fuentes will start season in bullpen before being sent to Triple-A to develop as a starter.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:54am

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The Atlanta Braves have decided to send down top pitching prospect Didier Fuentes to the minors after he made the Opening Day roster. Fuentes, a 20-year-old right-hander, will begin the season in the Braves' bullpen but will then be optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to work as a starter and continue his development.

Why it matters

The Braves have been hit hard by injuries to their starting rotation this spring, opening the door for Fuentes to make the big league roster. However, the team is taking a measured approach with his development, opting to have him contribute initially in a relief role before sending him down to the minors to build up as a starter.

The details

Fuentes made his MLB debut last season, making four starts and pitching 13 innings for the Braves. After an impressive spring training, he has now won a spot on the Braves' Opening Day roster. However, the team's plan is for Fuentes to serve as a long reliever for the first couple weeks of the season before being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to work as a starter.

  • Fuentes will begin the season on the Braves' Opening Day roster.
  • After the first couple weeks of the season, Fuentes will be sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett.

The players

Didier Fuentes

A 20-year-old right-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut with the Braves last season and has now won a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.

Atlanta Braves

The Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“The Braves' plan is for Didier Fuentes to spend the first couple weeks as a long reliever for Atlanta and then go to Triple-A Gwinnett to work as a starter.”

— Mark Bowman, Braves reporter

What’s next

Fuentes will look to impress in his initial bullpen role with the Braves before being sent down to Triple-A to continue developing as a starting pitcher.

The takeaway

The Braves are taking a prudent approach with their top pitching prospect Didier Fuentes, giving him a chance to contribute at the MLB level while also ensuring he gets the necessary development time as a starter in the minors.