There are only two weeks and a day left until the regular season starts and the prospective Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster is coming into focus — for better and for worse.
Less than two weeks after the last roster projection, two more shoes dropped, adding more consternation to Opening Day roster. First, it was outfielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar getting suspended for 162 games for a second PED positive test in less than 12 months. Then, last weekend, possible starting pitcher/long-reliever
Joey Wentz tore his ACL and will miss the 2026 season.
Now it is time to take another look what the projected Opening Day roster.
As a reminder, this projection is based on who is on the Braves’ 40-man roster or in camp with the team at this moment in time and assumes that everyone is “healthy” when Opening Day rolls around. All the usual caveats apply related to injuries, acquisitions and the like.
This is the third projection this Spring and for additional thoughts and details on the below players, read the prior projections as those comments won’t be duplicated below.
Position Players
Catcher: Drake Baldwin
First base: Matt Olson
Second base: Ozzie Albies
Shortstop: Mauricio Dubón
Third base: Austin Riley
Right field: Ronald Acuña, Jr.
Center field: Micheal Harris II
Left field: Mike Yastrzemski
Designated hitter:
Bench: Jonah Heim, Eli White, Jorge Mateo, Kyle Farmer, Dominic Smith
With Jurickson Profar out of the equation, the designated hitter spot gets hits with a strike-through for this projection. Atlanta could possibly bring in someone at the end of camp for the last bench spot, but for now, veteran Dominic Smith gets the nod. The Braves would probably be better served with a right-handed hitting option, but at this point Smith and outfielder Ben Gamel, both veteran lefty-swinging bats, seem the two most likely options.
Wild Cards: Nacho Alvarez, Jr., Ben Gamel, Jose Azucar, Brett Wisely
Luke Williams has struggled mightily with the bat, and at this point, seems an unlikely option to make the team. It is fair to question if he is able to stick in Triple-A, either. Utilityman Brett Wisely, who played briefly with the Braves last season before an off-season detour to the Tampa Bay Rays before returning to Atlanta, could be an option given he can play on the infield or outfield.
Another name to keep an eye on is player who had the quick cup of coffee with Atlanta last season before moving on and coming back – outfielder Jose Azucar. Azucar is likely a Triple-A outfield option only but should the Braves need an reserve outfielder to open the season, he might get the nod over Gamel. Infielder Nacho Alvarez, Jr. has been playing in the WBC and was optioned when he left camp, but he can’t be ruled out completely, although is likely to be ticketed to Triple-A to get full-time at-bats.
Pitchers
Starting pitchers: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, JR Ritchie
Bullpen: Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Tyler Kinley, Aaron Bummer, Joel Payamps, Jose Suaréz
The starting rotation has lost most of its depth since Spring Training started with Hurston Waldrop, Joey Wentz and Spencer Schwellenbach all succumbing to injuries. JR Ritchie makes the jump to the starting rotation – even if only for the first two weeks. Theoretically, Atlanta could opt to give Ritchie a start after Strider or Lopez, allowing Holmes to be the designated long-man for a couple of games and slot in as the sixth starter.
With Hayden Harris and James Karinchak seeming to not be in the plan to start the year, the final slot goes to left-hander Jose Suaréz given his ability to cover multiple innings. He pitched in seven games, including one start, for the Braves last season.
Wild Cards: Martín Peréz, Hayden Harris, Dylan Dodd, James Karinchak
A lot can happen in two weeks, and a couple more clean outings by Harris or even a minor injury to an expected reliever could see the rookie force his way on the roster. The same can be said for Karinchak. Should Atlanta opt to have a sixth start, but not want Ritchie to start the year in Atlanta, then the veteran Martín Peréz could get the call. Dodd’s ability to be optioned does not play in his favor, but he could be an option over Suaréz.
