The Atlanta Braves are nearing Opening Day. The roster is beginning to take shape. It was recently announced that the team's No. 3 overall prospect, right-handed pitcher Didier Fuentes, will be on the Opening Day roster. Fuentes reacted to the announcement on Sunday, via Mark Bowman.

"Yeah, I mean, it's really special," Fuentes said via translator. "I just think about all the sacrifices that I make in the offseason and now. I think just all the hard-work is showing. I'm just really grateful and excited."

It is certainly an important update without question. Fuentes is a pitcher who could impact the ball club for years to come. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen to begin the season, but Fuentes will likely be a starting pitcher someday in MLB.

According to Bowman, Fuentes will work in long relief to begin the '26 campaign. The pitcher will return to the minor leagues after the first few weeks of the season and work as a starter in Triple-A.

Fuentes, 20, had a tremendous spring. He did not allow a run across nine innings on the mound. The right-hander throws a hard fastball while his breaking pitches are continuing to improve. His command of the strike zone has also continued to improve.

Cam Caminiti and JR Ritchie are the Braves' top prospects, but Fuentes is not far behind. He could become an impactful pitcher and possibly a star at the big league level. The Braves believe in his ceiling.

Fuentes made his MLB debut in 2025. He struggled, however, allowing 20 earned runs in 13 innings on the mound. Nevertheless, it gave him crucial experience in MLB. Fuentes will surely be more prepared for the opportunity in 2026 as a result of last year's experience.

It is not clear why the Braves are having him work in long relief to begin the season, though. 48 of his 52 total minor league outings have been starts, and each of his MLB appearances were starts last year. Perhaps Atlanta wanted to reward him for his strong spring training, and more big league experience will only help him moving forward.

Nevertheless, it is a fairly surprising move since Fuentes is expected to be a starting pitcher in MLB in the future. Regardless, Didier Fuentes will look to make the most of this opportunity. If he pitches well, one has to imagine it won't be long before he returns to the big leagues once again.

The Braves' first game of the 2026 regular season is scheduled for Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.