Braves Announce Roster Decision After Loss to Royals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Hudson | Last updated Mar 30, 2026 4:10 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves are preparing for their fourth game of the season on Monday against the Athletics. The Braves are coming off a disappointing season, finishing fourth in the NL East and 12th overall in the National League, missing the playoffs. Despite a talented roster, they struggled to translate potential into success.

However, Atlanta's disappointment last year stemmed from injuries to the pitching staff which has once again been a problem this year. As a result, the organization has relied on younger arms such as Didier Fuentes.

Fuentes impressed in his debut against the Kansas City Royals, tossing four innings of relief while allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk, and striking out four in a 4-1 loss. However, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Fuentes will be unavailable for the next four to five days.

As a result, the Braves announced he was optioned to Triple-A, as originally planned, to continue developing as a starter. In a corresponding move, Martin Perez was called up in his place to the active roster.

The #Braves today selected LHP Martín Pérez to the major league roster after optioning RHP Didier Fuentes to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 30, 2026

As Fuentes continues working in long relief, he remains a strong candidate to return to the starting rotation. He is one of Atlanta’s most promising young arms, and his development is critical as the team deals with multiple injuries.

Spencer Strider is working back from an oblique strain, while Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are sidelined following elbow surgeries, leaving the pitching staff short-handed.

Because of that, the Braves may need to rely on Perez and Jose Suarez in the short term. Perez, who spent last season with the Chicago White Sox, posted a 3.54 ERA, 56.0 innings pitched, 44 strikeouts and a 1.107 WHIP across 11 games.

Suarez also showed promise, recording a 1.86 ERA, 19.1 innings pitched, 16 strikeouts, and a 1.293 WHIP in seven games. With key pitchers unavailable, Atlanta will need steady production from Fuentes, Perez and Suarez to stabilize both the rotation and bullpen.

Atlanta Braves bench coach Walt Weiss against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In the long term, these moves reflect Atlanta’s focus on balancing development with immediate needs. Fuentes remains a key part of the organization’s future, even after being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to manage his workload.

He is a top prospect on a pre-arbitration deal for 2026 and is expected to grow into a larger role as the rotation stabilizes.

Meanwhile, Perez provides veteran stability after signing a minor league deal in January following a 3.54 ERA season. Perez, an All-Star and World Series champion with the Texas Rangers in 2023, brings valuable experience to a depleted staff.

Suarez, who agreed to a one-year, $900,000 deal, adds controllable depth through 2026 and remains arbitration-eligible in 2027. Suarez’s strong 2025 performance positions him as a reliable option moving forward.

With multiple pitchers recovering from injuries, Atlanta’s long-term outlook will depend on Fuentes’ development, Perez’s leadership, and Suarez’s consistency.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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