Fuentes likely on Braves' Opening Day roster after slew of moves
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NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Didier Fuentes’ bid to be on Atlanta’s Opening Day roster significantly improved when the Braves made some key roster decisions on Saturday.
Veteran pitcher Martín Pérez has agreed to stay in the Braves organization, despite the fact he wasn’t guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot before a deadline on Saturday. This decision leaves Fuentes (Braves No. 3 prospect) and José Suarez as the last two internal candidates to fill the likely final two spots on Atlanta’s pitching staff.
The Braves also announced infielders Dominic Smith and Kyle Farmer have both signed a one-year split contract. Like Perez, both of these veterans were XX(B) free agents. All players within this group had the option to be given their unconditional release if not guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot by noon ET.
With these new deals, the Braves could now send Smith or Farmer to Triple-A Gwinnett if they acquire a better roster fit before Opening Day rosters are due on Wednesday. But if demoted, both veterans would have the option to elect free agency.
Smith stands as a top candidate to serve as Atlanta’s designated hitter against right-handed starters when Drake Baldwin is behind the plate. Farmer would be a tangible option to be the DH against left-handed starters.
While Farmer gaining an Opening Day spot with the hometown team would be a nice feel-good story, the top roster-related story centers on Fuentes, a 20-year-old phenom who has retired each of the past 26 batters he has faced this spring. He hit the first batter he faced with a pitch and has since worked nine innings without allowing a hit or issuing a walk. He’s struck out 17 of the past 26 batters faced.
“He certainly has made his point,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.
The Braves starting rotation will likely consist of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder. A sixth starter may be needed as Atlanta is scheduled to play each of the season’s first 13 games in 13 days. Fuentes or Suarez would be available to work as either a sixth starter or long reliever.