WASHINGTON -- Reynaldo López’s worst start has created an opportunity for Didier Fuentes to come up to make a first start.
There was an expectation Fuentes would be called up after López’s 58-pitch, one-inning outing heavily taxed the Braves bullpen in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday. But instead of providing bullpen depth, the 20-year-old hurler will now start Wednesday night’s game at Nationals Park.
Martin Pérez was originally slated to start Wednesday, but he will now start Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Nationals. There had been reason to wonder if Fuentes might start Thursday in place of Chris Sale, who threw 101 pitches in Friday’s win over the Phillies.
This latest rotation alteration ensures Sale will make his next start with an additional day of rest. But the Braves haven’t definitively said the 2024 Cy Young Award winner will start Friday’s series opener against the Phillies at Truist Park. They are still working on their rotation plans for the three-game series.
Fuentes, who ranks as the Braves’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was the club’s most hyped player during Spring Training. After recording 18 strikeouts and posting a 0.66 ERA over 13 2/3 innings in Grapefruit League games, he proved he had distanced himself from the struggles he endured when he posted a 13.85 ERA over four starts following his callup to the Majors last summer.
The Braves placed Fuentes on this year’s Opening Day roster, but optioned him after he allowed one run over four innings against the Royals on March 29. The young flamethrower has posted a 2.16 ERA while recording 20 strikeouts over the 16 2/3 innings in three starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
Recognizing that Fuentes might be needed to make a start or fill a relief role this week, the Braves scratched him from his scheduled start in Memphis on Sunday.
Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment to create a roster spot for Fuentes. Hamilton allowed three runs in just one inning during Tuesday’s loss.