Didier Fuentes to work as a starter in the spring

Fuentes nearly matched Grant Taylor’s effort against the Guardians on Saturday, only again a much better offense and without the help of any shadows. Alas, one out away from finishing the game, he gave up a homer to Max Muncy to narrow Atlanta’s lead to 3-2. The Braves then turned to Raisel Iglesias, whose got Josue De Paula to pop out for a one-out save. Fuentes threw 47 pitches tonight on two days’ rest after pitching in three straight games against the Phillies, though those were at least shorter outings (46 pitches in all). We’d love to tout him as a breakthrough starter in 2027, but if the Braves keep advancing in the postseason, one wonders how he’ll hold up. The Braves almost surely have to give him Game 3 off after this.

Raisel Iglesias only threw 16 pitches in closing out the Rockies on Friday night, so it’s interesting that it was Fuentes who got the call in this one instead of the Braves’ closer. It wasn’t the smoothest of innings, as he allowed a leadoff walk to Willi Castro and a one-out single to Troy Johnston, but he was able to battle back to strike out Zac Veen and get Jake McCarthy on a line out to right field to end it. He has emerged as a major weapon out of the Braves’ bullpen and should continue to see the occasional save chance over the final month of the season.

Two nights in a row the Braves entered the ninth inning with a four-run lead over the months and both times they turned to Iglesias. Sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry and they have an off-day tomorrow. Yet, this was now the third time in five outings where Iglesias has let at least one run score. He’s not even close to being in jeopardy of losing this job, but he may no longer be the best reliever in his own bullpen given Didier Fuentes’ emergence.

Fuentes was called upon with two outs in the eighth inning with the Braves leading by three, two runners, and Otto Lopez coming to the plate. He forced a first-pitch ground out to escape that jam before working a clean ninth inning to secure his second save. Usual closer Raisel Iglesias threw 20 pitches on Tuesday, so this was just the Braves trying to get him a night off. Fuentes certainly looked the part though.

Veteran closer Raisel Iglesias had already earned saves on Friday and Saturday, so Fuentes came in as the fresh option. Still just 20 years old, he’s been used as a traditional reliever lately. Fuentes hasn’t recorded more than four outs in an appearance since May 12. The Braves will likely be flexible with his role moving forward, and saves will be few and far between with Iglesias and Robert Suárez also in this bullpen. This is still a big developmental win for Atlanta, as he’s succeeding despite the unexpected usage.

Grant Holmes exited down 2-1 after four, and Fuentes was put in line for third win after the Braves came back with four in the bottom of the fifth. In five appearances since being recalled Apr. 28, Fuentes has allowed one run in 8 2/3 innings, notching two wins in the process. He threw a mere 36 pitches tonight, so he should be ready to pitch again by Friday.

The Braves have moved Reynaldo Lopez to the bullpen, but that was to accommodate JR Ritchie in the rotation. They also have Spencer Strider (oblique) likely to return this weekend, so this seems like a short-term addition with Fuentes pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen while Dylan Lee is on Paternity Leave.

Fuentes allowed four runs in three innings against the Nationals on Wednesday, but also struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. The 20-year-old has been good to start the season in Triple-A, and he did mix in his splitter more in this outing than we’ve seen in the past, which is important since he has primarily been a two-pitch pitcher. He still has some work to do on refining his command, but he could be an option for the Braves and fantasy managers over the summer.

Fuentes struck out seven, but he also gave up seven hits, one being a three-run homer off the bat of Daylen Lile. The short start meant Martín Pérez, who could have started Thursday, was needed to pitch three innings behind him, and thus, both pitchers might lose their roster spots tomorrow with JR Ritchie and Carlos Carrasco coming up.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman confirms that Ritchie will be called up with Didier Fuentes heading back to the minors after needing 74 pitches to complete three frames during Wednesday’s win over the Nationals. His abbreviated outing forced veteran Martín Pérez, who was originally scheduled to start on Thursday, into duty for a long relief outing. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect has posted a sparkling 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28/13 K/BB ratio across 27 1/3 innings over five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season. There’s some streaming appeal for fantasy purposes, but this figures to be a one-and-done situation for Ritchie.