Didier Fuentes
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23 marzo 2026
Remains in line for relief role
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.
Analisi
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.
22 marzo 2026
Beginning in long relief
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.
Analisi
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.
21 marzo 2026
Makes Opening Day roster
Fuentes will make Atlanta's Opening Day roster as a part of the team's bullpen, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analisi
Fuentes earned his spot on the team's Opening Day roster after a strong spring training, striking out 17 batters over nine scoreless, hitless innings in three Grapefruit League games. The 20-year-old right-hander will serve out of the bullpen to open the season, though he could slot into the rotation quickly. Atlanta plays 13 games in 13 days to begin its campaign and may want to build in an extra rest day early on for its other five starters.
20 marzo 2026
Dominates again Wednesday
Fuentes struck out eight over four perfect innings of relief in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Analisi
The 20-year-old right-hander fired 34 of 50 pitches for strikes after taking the mound to begin the sixth inning, although he was facing a lineup of Philly bench players and minor leaguers. Fuentes has been arguably the most impressive pitcher in camp this year for Atlanta, posting an eye-popping 17:0 K:BB over nine scoreless, hitless innings across three spring appearances, and the only baserunner he allowed during that dominant stretch came on a hit-by-pitch. Fuentes is still expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he's making a strong case to win an Opening Day spot on a team that's lost three starting options to injury this spring, and which is expected to deploy a six-man rotation over the first couple weeks of the campaign.
