RADIO
Didier Fuentes Still Viewed as a Starter Long-Term, Worth Stashing in 2026?
In his return to the majors this year after allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits (six homers) in 13 innings over his first four MLB starts in 2025, Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentes has gone 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 24:8 K:BB in 20 1/3 innings over 13 appearances (only one start). He has been very reliable in a relief role for Atlanta so far in 2026, posting a 1.08 ERA, 17 strikeouts, a 29.6% strikeout rate, and a 0.72 WHIP. His strikeout rate is the fifth-highest among qualified rookies. Fuentes has been a key asset because of his ability to go multiple innings out of the 'pen -- he's already had four multi-inning appearances. The 20-year-old Colombian has pitched as a starter for most of his career, though. He has found a temporary home in the bullpen, but The Athletic's Jesus Cano writes that the Braves' long-term plan is to have Fuentes be a valuable member of their starting rotation. Fuentes is an absolute must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues. But in redraft leagues, he's not a must-roster arm, especially since his return to a starting role may not come until 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Spencer Schwellenbach Does Some Light Tossing on Tuesday
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) is with the team in Boston this week and did some light throwing at Fenway Park on Tuesday, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Schwellenbach is only throwing on flat ground right now, but it's progress after he underwent surgery back in February to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has already been ruled out for the first half of the 2026 season through the All-Star break in mid-July, but that doesn't mean he's not a stash candidate in fantasy baseball leagues. Schwellenbach was really impressive for the Braves in his first two years in the majors in 2024 and 2025, going 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with a 25.2% strikeout rate and 4.4% walk rate. He's one of the better upside stashes among pitchers at this juncture, and he's available in 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Is Spencer Schwellenbach Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire Ahead of Return?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) has yet to pitch in 2026 after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs in his right elbow in February. However, the 25-year-old is reportedly on the verge of beginning a throwing program and could be progressing towards a mid-summer return to the big leagues. Schwellenbach showcased high-end upside in 2025, recording a 7-4 record with a 3.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 110 2/3 innings (17 starts) before fracturing his right elbow in late June. Given his track record of elbow issues, Schwellenbach's profile carries a fair amount of injury risk for fantasy managers. Still, he's provided must-start production when healthy since making his MLB debut in May 2024. For any fantasy manager with an open roster spot, Schwellenbach could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Grant Holmes on a Roll, Strikes Out 10 on Saturday Against Nats
Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes had a third straight strong start on Saturday in his outing at Truist Park against the division-rival Washington Nationals in his team's 2-0 shutout loss. Despite losing his second game of the 2026 season, Holmes made his fantasy managers happy, allowing two earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out a season-high 10 in five innings of work. The 30-year-old veteran allowed two solo home runs to Washington, but otherwise, he was strong, generating 18 swings and misses on 87 total pitches. Since allowing a season-high six runs (five earned) on May 1 against the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Holmes has given up just four earned runs on 12 hits (three homers) while walking seven and fanning 19 in 15 innings in his last three starts. He has gone more than five innings just four times in his 10 starts this year, but Holmes has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his appearances for Atlanta, and he now holds a 3.78 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 48:24 K:BB in 52 1/3 frames. Consider him when looking for a matchup-based streamer down the road.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Martin Perez Fans Career-High 10 in Win Over Miami
Atlanta Braves veteran left-hander Martin Perez did something in Tuesday's victory over the division-rival Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park that he's never done in his 15 years in the majors. Perez allowed four earned runs on five hits (one homer) in five innings in a no-decision, but he also struck out 10 batters for the first time in his career. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw moved back into Atlanta's starting rotation for the time being with the Braves sending rookie JR Ritchie back to the minors on Tuesday. He threw 55 of his 78 pitches for strikes, and although this wasn't his best outing of the 2026 season, he's still sporting a 2.85 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 10 outings (six starts) over 41 innings pitched. Perez might be pitching well so far this year with Atlanta, but he will continue to have a limited fantasy ceiling with a lack of strikeout stuff. Before Tuesday's 10-K performance, Perez didn't have more than five punchouts in a single outing. He's currently rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
JR Ritchie Demoted to Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they optioned right-hander JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett following Monday night's game against the Miami Marlins. Ritchie, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, didn't allow more than three earned runs in his first four major-league starts for the Braves after making his MLB debut on April 23 with a strong performance against the Washington Nationals, but he will head back to the farm after he surrendered six earned runs on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts in four innings in a 12-0 loss to the division-rival Miami Marlins on Monday night. The 22-year-old former 35th overall pick in 2022 is now 1-1 on the year with a 4.91 ERA (5.72 FIP) and 1.48 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and 16 walks in 25 2/3 frames across his first five major-league starts. Ritchie should be back with the Braves at some point in 2026, but for now, veteran left-hander Martin Perez will likely take his spot in the starting rotation. Ritchie is still deserving of being stashed in deeper fantasy leagues, although he's only rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Spencer Schwellenbach Worth an Add Amid Looming Return?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), who is currently on the 60-day injured list after having surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, is reportedly close to starting a throwing program and is worth a look on the waiver wire as a pitcher to stash. The 25-year-old is currently rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues. Schwellenbach won't be an option to rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July, but for his upside alone, he's worth stashing in fantasy leagues if you have the room. The former second-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has gone 15-11 in his two seasons with the Braves with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP), 1.01 WHIP, and 235:41 K:BB in 234 1/3 innings pitched across 38 starts. There's plenty of risk, though, as Schwellenbach has already had Tommy John surgery and has yet to throw a full season in the Braves' big-league rotation.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Spencer Schwellenbach Should Resume Throwing Soon
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) said he received a positive report from his latest checkup with a doctor last week and should be able to start throwing soon, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Schwellenbach is on the 60-day injured list after having surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, and he will not be able to make his 2026 season debut until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Still, he's rostered in 30% of Yahoo leagues. The Braves are expected to bring the 25-year-old along slowly once he starts building his arm back up. In his first two years in the big leagues, Schwellenbach has shown plenty of upside, going 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP), a 1.01 WHIP, a 25.2% strikeout rate, and a 4.4% walk rate in 234 1/3 innings pitched across 38 starts for the Braves. Expectations should be tempered for when Schwellenbach returns in the second half, but he'll become more popular off the waiver wire once he gets closer to rejoining Atlanta's starting rotation.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
JR Ritchie has Promising Upside
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie turned in an excellent debut when he got the call against the Washington Nationals on April 23. Since then, Ritchie has struggled to replicate similar results due to his lack of command over his last two starts. Ritchie has walked 10 batters across 10.1 innings of work. The rookie right-hander has the swing-and-miss stuff to be a consistent option at the big league level. He needs to get his command in line, but could be a solid stash option going forward. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are seeking pitching help should consider adding Ritchie.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
