After losing their series against the Phillies, the Atlanta Braves are coming off an off day needing to make up some ground this coming week. Unfortunately, the part of the Braves rotation coming up against the Angels is easily the most vulnerable part of it and does not inspire the most confidence heading into a make or break week. However, it appears as though Atlanta may have something up their sleeve.
Normally, if the Braves make a change to their rotation schedule, there is a good reason and they usually share that reason. Most of the time, it is due to needing to give a guy an extra day of rest for whatever reason. However, the Braves decided to swap Grant Holmes and Didier Fuentes this week which makes one wonder if a roster move could be coming.
#Braves made a switch, Grant Holmes will now start tonight vs. Angels instead of rookie Didier Fuentes, who switches spots with Holmes and starts Wednesday. Bryce Elder remains starter for series finale.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 1, 2025
Braves swap Didier Fuentes and Grant Holmes in what could be a curious prelude to more shuffling
The most likely explanation here is that the Braves just want to give Fuentes an extra day of rest to let him be as fresh as possible for his next start. Fuentes has obviously struggled mightily since the Braves called him up and Atlanta now has to reckon with their rushed decision to promote him so quickly somehow. Perhaps a bit of extra rest is all that Fuentes needs to get going in the big leagues.
However, the timing of this swap is a bit curious. The Braves absolutely need a strong showing this week and you will be hard pressed to find anyone that has much confidence in Fuentes in the majors at the moment. With Jackson Stephens last pitching out of the rotation on June 26, one wonders if this swap is a precursor to sending Fuentes back down to the minors where he can get more work in and giving Stephens a shot.
For now, we get treated to Holmes and his magnificent mullet to start this series against the Angels. He will take on Tyler Anderson who had an up and down June in what should be a pretty interesting matchup. However, where the real intrigue resides is what the Braves do after that.