The Atlanta Braves bullpen has been missing right-hander Robert Suarez since June, and as a result they have had to turn to some of their younger options to handle higher-leverage spots. On Saturday, that player ended up being right-hander Didier Fuentes.
The 21-year-old took over in the eighth inning, and instead of turning to closer Raisel Iglesias to come in with the game tied in the ninth, manager Walt Weiss kept Fuentes in there.
Unfortunately, Fuentes allowed the winning run to cross as the Braves were walked off and lost 3-2, with Fuentes taking the loss. After the game, Fuentes commented on his disappointing performance.
"I'm not gonna lie, I was a little nervous going out there. Obviously, I wanted to do everything I could to help the team win. Just another opportunity for me to learn and to grow and to keep getting better," Fuentes said ( h/t Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ).
While the outing was disappointing, it is encouraging that he views it as a learning experience rather than a setback. Prior to Saturday, Fuentes had not been used in many high-leverage spots, and as a result he has seen plenty of success in his role.
Across 35 appearances this year he has posted a 2.70 ERA and a 4-1 record, with Saturday marking the first loss he has suffered all season. He has also collected 51 strikeouts across 43 1/3 innings with a 1.177 WHIP, numbers that speak to how effective he has been in a role he was not originally expected to fill.
Fuentes is still one of Atlanta's most promising young arms and does not figure to be a bullpen arm for the rest of his career. He is actually a starting pitcher by trade, but given that Atlanta had a surplus of starting arms this season he was moved to the bullpen to ensure he would have a role.
He has thrived to the point where some fans have already been calling for him to enter the rotation this season, and that possibility has not been ruled out as the playoffs approach .
He is in just his first full big-league season after all. He debuted back in 2025, making four starts and really struggling, allowing 20 runs in 13 innings. The adjustments he has made since then have been clear, and one tough outing does not diminish what he has built this year or what his ceiling looks like going forward.
