Things are getting interesting down in Atlanta and not necessarily for all the right reasons, but there is a spark named Jurickson Profar. After an 80-game timeout that left a noticeable hole in the Braves’ outfield and batting order, Profar is officially back in action tonight as Atlanta hosts the Los Angeles Angels in game two of their three-game dance at Truist Park.
Profar Returns Swinging After Suspension
Let’s talk about that return. Profar didn’t just sit around during his suspension. Nope—he went down to Triple-A Gwinnett and raked. We’re talking a .326 average, three homers, nine RBIs in just 13 games. That’s not a rehab assignment—that’s a guy itching to come back and remind everybody why he signed a $42 million deal in the first place.
Of course, there’s a logjam when it comes to lineup placement. With Ronald Acuña Jr. locked in at the leadoff spot, there’s some guessing going on about where Profar fits in. Anywhere from the 2-hole to the 6-spot is on the table, but if you’re Manager Brian Snitker right now, you’re just happy to have somebody who’s been hitting. The Braves have lost five of six and are sitting eight games under .500. The offense has looked flatter than a Diet Coke left open overnight.
“I’m thinking it’s going to be good for our lineup,” Snitker said. Translation: Please hit the ball. The Braves need Profar’s switch-hitting versatility and pop like the desert needs rain.
Rookie Fuentes Gets the Ball—And a Tough Test
Now, about that pitching matchup. Didier Fuentes, the hard-throwing rookie, is getting the ball for Atlanta tonight. He was initially set to pitch the series opener but was bumped to Wednesday to keep Grant Holmes on regular rest. His ERA sits at a shaky 10.80 after two tough starts. In his last outing against the Mets, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings and gave up six runs, including a pair of homers. Welcome to the big leagues.
Fuentes isn’t exactly being eased into this. The Angels are starting to find their rhythm, having won five of their last seven, and they tagged the Braves for a 4-0 shutout in the opener. That’s the kind of momentum that can eat up a young pitcher real quick if he’s not sharp.
Kikuchi’s Curve Is Trouble for Braves Hitters
Yusei Kikuchi, meanwhile, is dealing like a man on a mission. The veteran left-hander comes into tonight with a 2.79 ERA and is fresh off a dazzling seven-inning performance against Boston, where he allowed no earned runs and struck out 12. He’s mixing his slider and curveball almost evenly right now, and the results have been lethal. In 17 starts this year, he’s allowed three or fewer earned runs in 15 of them. That’s not just consistency—it’s elite-level control.
Yes, the Braves touched him up once back in 2023 when he was with Toronto, but this isn’t the same Kikuchi. And frankly, this isn’t the same Braves offense either, especially not without Chris Sale and with Profar just now returning to the lineup.
Braves Tinker with Roster, Hope for Spark
And speaking of Sale, he’s now officially on the 60-day injured list with a fractured rib, which means Atlanta won’t see him again until at least late August. In a corresponding move, the Braves picked up righty reliever Hunter Stratton from the Pirates, sending minor league outfielder Titus Dumitru and some cash in the other direction. It’s a stopgap move, but at this point, the Braves will take any help they can get.
So here’s what it comes down to: Profar’s return, Fuentes’ rebound, and Kikuchi’s killer breaking stuff. First pitch can’t come soon enough.
