Trending Now - Braves Finalize Opening Day Roster With Didier Fuentes

WHO:

Didier Fuentes, Atlanta Braves, Martín Pérez, Dominic Smith, Kyle Farmer, José Suarez, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Walt Weiss (Braves manager), Rowdy Tellez, Jon Heyman (MLB Network insider), Jeff Passan (ESPN)

WHAT:

Fuentes has been included on the Braves' Opening Day roster.

Fuentes is the Braves' No. 3 prospect.

Fuentes has retired the last 26 batters he faced this spring, striking out 17 of them.

Fuentes pitched nine innings without allowing a hit or issuing a walk.

Tellez signed a Minor League deal with the Braves.

Tellez had a .228 batting average, 17 home runs, and 49 RBIs in 112 games during the 2025 season.

Tellez played for Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, hitting .280 with one home run and five RBIs in 25 plate appearances.

WHERE:

North Port, Florida (location of Braves' spring training).

WHEN:

The Braves' Opening Day roster is due on March 25th, 2026.

Tellez's Minor League deal was reported on March 20th, 2026.

The Braves are scheduled to play their first 13 games in 13 days starting from March 30th, 2026.

WHY:

Fuentes' performance in spring training has significantly improved his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

The Braves are dealing with injuries to multiple pitchers, which has opened opportunities for Fuentes and others.

HOW:

Fuentes achieved his spring training success by not allowing any hits or walks and striking out a high number of batters.

The Braves made key roster decisions, including retaining Martín Pérez and signing Dominic Smith and Kyle Farmer to one-year split contracts.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 19:07 UTC)

In a significant development for the Atlanta Braves, Didier Fuentes has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after an impressive spring training where he retired the last 26 batters he faced, striking out 17 and pitching nine hitless innings. The Braves also announced that Rowdy Tellez has signed a Minor League deal, following a 2025 season where he hit 17 home runs and played for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. With the Braves set to play their first 13 games in 13 days starting March 30, the team is making key roster decisions amid injuries to multiple pitchers, which has opened opportunities for players like Fuentes.