{"id":119904,"date":"2026-04-22T11:50:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=119904"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:44:12","slug":"atlanta-braves-shake-up-rotation-mid-series-with-the-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/04\/22\/atlanta-braves-shake-up-rotation-mid-series-with-the-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves rotation shake-up includes 20-year-old stud"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After winning six straight games, the Atlanta Braves suffered an 11-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. On a roll, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/04\/20\/atlanta-braves-face-tough-choices-ahead\/\" target=\"_self\"><span class=\"s2\">the Braves<\/span> have decided to shake up their pitching staff for Games 2 and 3<\/a>, which includes rookie right-hander <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/30\/atlanta-braves-prospect-all-star\/\" target=\"_self\"><span class=\"s2\">Didier Fuentes<\/span><\/a> getting the call to start. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">The Atlanta Braves are recalling <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\">Didier Fuentes<\/span> to start against the Washington Nationals <\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119942\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119942\" style=\"width: 4686px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28484319.webp\" alt=\"Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Didier Fuentes throws a pitch during the first inning\" width=\"4686\" height=\"3122\" class=\"size-full wp-image-119942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28484319.webp 4686w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28484319-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28484319-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28484319-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4686px) 100vw, 4686px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119942\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mar 13, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) throws a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">According to the Braves on X, Fuentes has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and will start Game 2 versus the Nationals on Wedensday. To clear a spot on the active roster for the 20-year-old, right-hander <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hamilia01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ian Hamilton<\/a> was designated for assignment. Hamilton appeared in one game and allowed three earned runs against the Nationals.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Braves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Braves<\/a> today recalled RHP Didier Fuentes to Atlanta and designated RHP Ian Hamilton for assignment. Fuentes will start tonight\u2019s game.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Braves\/status\/2046942206678737148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Left-hander <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/perezma02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Perez<\/a> was the scheduled starter for Wednesday, but will start on Thursday instead. <\/span><span class=\"s1\">Fuentes has been outstanding while pitching in Gwinnett. In three starts, he has a 1-1 record and a 2.16 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. The rookie right-hander made one appearance <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/18\/atlanta-braves-starting-rotation\/\" target=\"_self\">for the Braves<\/a>, striking out four Kansas City Royals in four innings on March 29.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"arena-poll-widget\" data-site-slug=\"lwos\"><\/div>\n<h2>Fuentes&#8217; Past and Future<\/h2>\n<p>In his last start (April 14), Fuentes was not great, throwing seven innings where he allowed four earned runs and struck out five. Built up to be a starter, Fuentes will offer the Braves a valuable weapon. Fuentes carries a four-seam fastball, a splitter, and a slider in his arsenal, with his fastball averaging 95 miles per hour. <span class=\"s1\">Fuentes is the Braves&#8217; third-ranked prospect and could be in line to make one more start after Wedensday. Right-Hander <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stridsp01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Strider<\/a> continues his rehab stint and will soon return to the rotation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Once Strider returns, the Braves will be faced with another roster decision. Fuentes\u2019s performance over the next two weeks will tell whether or not if he&#8217;ll get sent back to Gwinnett. <\/span><span class=\"s1\">If Fuentes stays, Perez could once again find himself on the wrong end of a designation for assignment. Perez was designated for assignment on April 12 and he re-signed three days later and started on April 17. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">The Braves welcome the Philadelphia Phillies into town for a three-game series <\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119945\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119945\" style=\"width: 5241px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28428189.webp\" alt=\"Didier Fuentes (72) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles \" width=\"5241\" height=\"3494\" class=\"size-full wp-image-119945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28428189.webp 5241w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28428189-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28428189-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28428189-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5241px) 100vw, 5241px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mar 7, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning during spring Training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Braves will welcome the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series over the weekend. After shifting things against the Nationals, left-hander Chris Sale will start against the Phillies on Sunday. Sale carved up the Phillies last week when he faced them, striking out seven in seven innings, while allowing one earned run. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today&#39;s originally scheduled starter Martin Perez will now start tomorrow instead of Chris Sale. There&#39;s a chance Sale would start Friday. But the Braves haven&#39;t finalized their rotation plans for the Phillies series.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mlbbowman\/status\/2046947270923317485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span>Starting Sale on Sunday, right-handers <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmegr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grant Holmes<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/elderbr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryce Elder<\/a> will start on Friday (Holmes) and Saturday (Elder).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span> <\/span>Holmes was okay in last time out against the Phillies. In 4.2 innings, Holmes allowed three earned runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. Elder did not face the Phillies, but struck out six in 6.2 innings against the Nationals on April 20.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><strong>(Top Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After winning six straight games, the Atlanta Braves suffered an 11-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. On a roll, the Braves have decided to shake up their pitching staff for Games 2 and 3, which includes rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes getting the call to start. The Atlanta Braves are recalling Didier Fuentes to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5794,"featured_media":119943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,2,1071,35],"tags":[48,3770,29002,28763],"class_list":["post-119904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-featured","category-mlb","category-news","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-bryce-elder","tag-didier-fuentes","tag-grant-holmes"],"modified_by":"Matthew Nethercott, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5794"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119904"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119992,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119904\/revisions\/119992"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}