The Major League Baseball season is finally here, and the Atlanta Braves begin the season on Friday. The champions of the Grapefruit League (21-7-2) will play against the Kansas City Royals. On Wednesday, the Braves officially released their 26-man Opening Day roster. Let’s break it down.
Atlanta Braves Release Their Official 2026 Opening Day Roster
Starting Rotation
Injuries have ravaged the Braves’ starting rotation, with right-hander Spencer Strider the latest to hit the injured list. To take Strider’s place in the rotation, the Braves brought in right-hander Osvaldo Bido from the New York Yankees.
- Left-hander Chris Sale (Opening Day starter)
- Right-hander Reynaldo López
- Right-hander Grant Holmes
- Right-hander Bryce Elder
- Bido
The Braves also have left-hander Martín Pérez down in the minor leagues after he agreed to stay with the team. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Strider got placed on the injured list on Sunday and is eligible to return on April 6.
Spencer Strider was placed on the IL retroactive to Sunday. Reports continue to be promising regarding his oblique. He would be eligible to return from the IL on April 6. That may be a little early. But there’s a chance he misses just a turn or two.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 25, 2026
Bullpen
Given the injuries to the starting rotation, the bullpen will need to be effective. Rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes will join the bullpen after strictly starting in his young career.
Despite not having experience in the bullpen, Fuentes will have good mentors in right-handers Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez. Both will be the main back-end weapons for manager Walt Weiss when trying to close out a game.
- R. Suarez— Closer
- Iglesias
- Right-hander Joel Payamps
- Left-hander Dylan Lee
- Fuentes
- Left-hander Aaron Bummer
- Right-hander Tyler Kinley
- Left-hander José Suarez
Suarez has 77 career saves and led the National League in saves (40) last season for the San Diego Padres. Iglesias, for his career, has 253 saves and saved 29 games for the Braves in 2025.
Catchers
Catcher Drake Baldwin had a fantastic spring after winning the National League Rookie of the Year award last season. In 13 games, Baldwin batted .349 with two triples, two home runs, and 12 RBI.
Baldwin will take on the bulk of the catching duties again this season, and Heim will be a suitable backup until catcher Sean Murphy returns. Murphy will begin the season on the injured list and is slowly making progress after injuring his hip.
- Drake Baldwin
- Jonah Heim
Infielders
The infield situation became a bit hairy when shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) got injured. Thankfully for the Braves, infielder Mauricio Dubón will be a solid fill-in piece. Infielder Jorge Mateo will also offer a valuable defensive shortstop, having seven defensive runs saved in 294 career games.
- Dubón
- Mateo
- Third baseman Kyle Farmer
- Third baseman Austin Riley
- First baseman Matt Olson
- First baseman/designated hitter Dominic Smith
- Second baseman Ozzie Albies
Your 2026 Atlanta Braves Opening Day Roster!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/vS5mcpZR0g
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 25, 2026
Outfield
Along with the starting rotation, the Braves’ outfield has had its own problems. Outfielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar’s suspension led to a need for a fourth outfielder and DH.
Smith’s solid spring — .270 batting average with a .750 OPS — secured him the DH spot, while outfielder Eli White’s great spring won him the fourth outfielder spot. White hit .429 with two home runs and five RBI in 14 games.
- Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
- Center fielder Michael Harris II
- Left fielder Mike Yastrzemski
- White
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
