Braves Adjust Pitching Roster: Fuentes to Triple-A, Pérez Activated

ATLANTA – Following a brief return to the Majors, promising Braves prospect Didier Fuentes has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. This move comes as the Braves bolster their pitching staff with veteran left-hander Martín Pérez, whose contract was officially purchased by the team on Monday.

Fuentes, ranked as the Braves’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, made a single appearance in relief, throwing 56 pitches over four innings in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Due to pitch count considerations – he won’t be available for the next four to five days – the Braves decided to utilize the option and allow him to continue developing as a starting pitcher in the Minors.

Fuentes’ Development Path

The Braves have emphasized that Fuentes’ current assignment is focused on honing his skills as a starter. His previous stint in the Majors last year saw a 13.85 ERA over four starts, highlighting the need for further refinement. The team is optimistic about his potential, particularly given the improvements he’s made to his secondary pitches.

During Spring Training, Fuentes showcased impressive form, retiring 26 of his first 27 batters faced, with 17 strikeouts. He also held the Pirates’ regular lineup to just one run over 4 2/3 innings in his final Grapefruit League appearance, and limited the Royals to one run over four innings on Sunday.

Pérez Provides Veteran Presence

Martín Pérez, who signed a Minor League deal after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries, brings valuable experience to the Braves’ pitching staff. He, along with fellow left-hander José Suarez, are contenders for Tuesday night’s start against the Oakland Athletics. One of the two will also be designated as the primary long relief option for Monday’s series opener.

Focus on Secondary Pitches

Braves manager Walt Weiss highlighted the growth in Fuentes’ secondary pitches as a key area of development. “That’s where the growth has been, right? I mean, it’s been with the secondary stuff. The fastball has always been big, but the secondary stuff is where I think he’s really stepped it up,” Weiss stated. Fuentes’ fastball averages 95.8 mph, while his slider averages 85.8 mph. However, he needs to improve his ability to generate swings and misses with these pitches, and continue to develop his changeup/splitter, which he’s recently added to his repertoire.

Looking Ahead

Fuentes is scheduled to start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday night. As his pitch count increases beyond 90, he will become a strong candidate for a return to the Majors as a starting pitcher. Stay tuned for updates on the Braves’ pitching rotation and the latest news on Braves.com.