Atlanta Braves President of Baseball Operations, Alex Anthopoulos, met with the media earlier today and addressed a handful of issues ahead of the 2027 season.
Among the topics Anthopoulos discussed were that the team plans to give 21-year-old pitcher Didier Fuentes a chance at being in the team’s rotation in 2027, although he may be subjected to an innings limit which could also impact his role as the season progress – assuming, of course, that there is a full 2027 campaign due to the pending lock-out
by the owners. Fuentes tossed 97.0 innings between his work with Atlanta and Gwinnett in 2026, when including the post-season.
Any possible 2027 starting rotation construction likely won’t be planned to include neither Spencer Strider nor Spencer Schwellenbach, at least for the whole season, as both are dealing with uncertain futures given their injury issues. Schwellenbach missed all of 2026 and Strider appeared in only eight games.
Anthopoulos provided a few other nuggets, including notes that decisions haven’t yet been made on possible changes to the coaching staff; that the future of two-time PED suspended outfielder Jurickson Profar with the Braves has not yet been decided (the final year of his three-year contract is 2027); and he was glad Austin Riley was healthy all season and complimented his defense while also being optimistic that he offense can regain form.
On the possibility of signing pending free agent pitcher Tyler Mahle, Anthopoulos said they would try to use their exclusive negotiating window to there advantage for Mahle and other of their own free agents. Anthopoulos was also complimentary of utility-man Maurico Dubón’s off-the-field prowess. Dubón, who is also a pending free agent, could be an option at shortstop should he re-sign with Atlanta for the ‘27 season.
