Didier Fuentes found himself in a tough spot with the Atlanta Braves, who had little choice but to call him up due to mounting injuries in the starting rotation. With few appealing alternatives, the team turned to Fuentes, though it was always going to be a challenging situation for a young pitcher with limited experience. As expected, he struggled, and now the Braves have decided to move on.
Fuentes’ demotion was anticipated after his rough outing against the A’s, but it wasn’t until Wednesday that his replacement was confirmed. The Braves announced they’ve recalled right-hander Nathan Wiles from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place.
This move shouldn’t come as a surprise. The team had hinted at it, and Fuentes’ return to the minors felt overdue. Ideally, he can regroup and continue progressing despite this setback.
Wiles brings some intrigue and arguably should have been given the opportunity earlier. Though he struggled in his lone MLB appearance earlier this year, he’s posted a solid 3.33 ERA across 15 starts in Triple-A, even if his recent form has dipped.
As the season wears on, Atlanta’s depth continues to thin out. Without players stepping up or getting healthy, the Braves could be in for a difficult — and possibly unwatchable — stretch ahead.