Last season, it was Drake Baldwin who earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, as an injury to Sean Murphy forced the Atlanta Braves’ hand with their top prospect. This spring, a similar situation may be unfolding, as injuries — coupled with the latest round of roster cuts — appear to be accelerating the path of one of Atlanta’s top pitching prospects toward an Opening Day roster spot.
Didier Fuentes has turned heads this spring, impressing not only Braves fans but also the national media with jaw-dropping results. However, despite his dominant performance, there had been lingering hesitation surrounding his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Following the Braves’ latest round of roster cuts, that outlook has shifted significantly, and Fuentes, at least for now, has made the Braves' Opening Day roster.
Didier Fuentes has made the Atlanta Braves’ Opening Day roster and at 20 years old will be part of their bullpen — and he earned it. Fuentes’ numbers this spring: nine innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, 17 strikeouts. He was too good for the Braves to deny and is a huge talent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 21, 2026
Didier Fuentes makes Braves' Opening Day roster after Atlanta cuts Martin Perez
After the Braves optioned Dylan Dodd to Triple-A on Friday night, only a handful of viable candidates remained in camp for the final rotation and bullpen spots. With Atlanta set to begin the season with a grueling 13 games in 13 days stretch, much of the discussion around camp has focused on the value of pitchers who can reliably handle multiple innings in those remaining roles.
Fuentes has been competing with veterans Jose Suarez and Martin Perez for the final two spots on Atlanta’s pitching staff this spring. Braves insider Mark Bowman recently reported that Perez is slated to begin the season in Triple-A, a clear signal that the Braves plan to break camp with Fuentes and Suarez in their final roster spots.
However, while this appears to be the current roster outlook, nothing is guaranteed. Atlanta could still add another Major League–level pitcher as other teams make their roster cuts and finalize their rosters. In such a scenario, it is likely that Jose Suarez, rather than Didier Fuentes, would face the greater risk of losing his spot.
Supporters of Didier Fuentes have plenty of reason to celebrate. Injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep opened the door, but Fuentes’ spot on the Opening Day roster is clearly well-earned. This spring, he dominated over nine innings, recording 17 strikeouts without allowing a hit or a walk—an emphatic statement of his readiness for the major leagues. For Braves fans, his arrival signals not just a bright future for the rotation, but an exciting start to the 2026 season.