When will we see Didier Fuentes in the majors (again)?

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: Didier Fuentes #72 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park on March 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Or, I guess, more to the point — why will we see Didier Fuentes in the majors (again)?

Fuentes was scratched from his Gwinnett appearance at one point last week, prompting these two missives from Mark Bowman:

Didier Fuentes was a healthy scratch for Triple-A Gwinnett today. By not starting him today, the Braves give themselves some flexibility as they go through this stretch of 10 straight games. Dodd isn’t eligible to return until April 28. Need optionable pieces available during…

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 19, 2026

With Fuentes being scratched yesterday, I asked Weiss if he's still planning for Sale to start Thursday on regular rest. Walt said because Sale threw 101 pitches in a tough environment, they've had ongoing discussions. But he says for now, the plan is for Sale to start Thursday.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 20, 2026

At this point, I assume that when a load management opportunity presents itself, the Braves will take it. But, that hasn’t been the case so far, which has been a pleasant surprise (among many) in the early going.

So, I guess the question is whether we will see Fuentes up relatively soon to give everyone else a breather, or whether the Braves will ultimately wait until a spot in the rotation opens up longer-term. J.R. Ritchie is also out there and could fulfill the same purpose, more or less — though Fuentes is the one that’s being held back for flexibility’s sake.

It’s worth noting that the Braves don’t have any obvious “easy” starts for quite a while. Sure, they play the Rockies to start May, but those games are at Coors Field. Maybe if the Tigers continue to slumber offensively, the series right before Coors, which has an off day before it, is a chance to give everyone what is effectively two days of a break. Anyway, we’ll see — but when do you think Fuentes makes his debut, and why?

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