Opening Day is quickly approaching, and by this time next week, the Atlanta Braves will be underway in games that count in the regular season standings. A busy spring—featuring roster competitions, offseason adjustments, and standout moments during the World Baseball Classic—has helped shape the club’s outlook. The Braves now enter 2026 aiming for a return to form, confident their offseason work has positioned them for a rebound season.
With a month of spring training complete, Atlanta’s front office should have enough information to confidently assemble its 2026 Opening Day roster. While the team that takes the field on March 27 will not look identical to the one playing by Memorial Day, that does not diminish the importance of these early-season games.
No one in Braves Country needs a reminder of how damaging a slow start can be after last season’s abysmal opening-week West Coast trip. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how Alex Anthopoulos could ultimately construct the club’s 26-man Opening Day roster.
Predicting the Braves 2026 Opening Day 26-man roster
Catcher (2) - Drake Baldwin, Jonah Heim
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year appears poised to build on his breakout campaign after an impressive spring at the plate. Baldwin is expected to handle the bulk of the workload behind the plate early in the season, with Heim providing support until Sean Murphy is fully healthy and ready to return.
Infielders (7) - Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubon, Austin Riley, Jorge Mateo, Kyle Farmer, Dominic Smith
Austin Riley and Matt Olson launching homers may have been the highlight of spring, but the Braves’ bench looks deeper than in previous seasons, thanks to the offensive upside of several key reserves. Dubon and Farmer have both performed well this spring, with Dubon’s strong showing providing confidence as he is expected to see regular playing time until Ha-Seong Kim returns.
Dominic Smith and Ben Gamel were the primary contenders for the final bench spot. While Smith’s defensive limitations warrant some caution, his offensive upside outweighs the defensive value Gamel would provide.
Outfielders (4) - Mike Yastrzemski, Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuna Jr., Eli White
Carrying four outfielders isn’t ideal, but Mauricio Dubon’s versatility makes this approach feasible for Atlanta. If all goes as planned, Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. will anchor the everyday lineup, while Yastrzemski is expected to see regular playing time thanks to his strong performance against right-handed pitching.
Starting pitchers (6) - Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Martin Perez
The top four pitchers in Atlanta’s rotation are all but locks, and, against expectations, Bryce Elder appears poised for another opportunity at the back end of the rotation. The choice to carry Martin Perez as a sixth starter is largely driven by Atlanta’s grueling early-season schedule—13 games in 13 days—where his ability to eat innings will be especially valuable.
Top pitching prospects JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes have been the center of attention this spring, and both look poised to make an impact for Atlanta in 2026. However, with both players still having minor league options, it’s expected they will start the season in Gwinnett, making their first call-ups to the majors at the earliest opportunity.
Relief pitchers (7) - Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Aaron Bummer, Joel Payamps, Tyler Kinley, Dylan Dodd
Perhaps the most well-rounded unit on Atlanta’s roster, the bullpen is expected to feature six pitchers who appear all but locked in for Opening Day. The final spot remains up for debate, but Dodd’s strong 2025 performance gives him the inside track to break camp with the team this season.