The rotation shuffle continues for the Atlanta Braves. On Tuesday, the team made a move that many saw coming but still carries big implications: Didier Fuentes is headed back to Triple-A, and in his place comes right-hander Nathan Wiles, getting his second crack at the majors — this time, in the rotation.
Wiles Gets the Call — Again
Let’s start with the fresh face. Nathan Wiles has been putting together a solid season down in Gwinnett, logging a 3.33 ERA over 15 starts. The 25-year-old was lined up perfectly in the Stripers’ rotation to fill the hole Atlanta had, so this was the most logical move.
Wiles got a taste of the big leagues earlier this season, although “taste” might be generous — it was one inning, three runs, and then back to the farm. But now? He gets to actually start a game, and this is a real shot to prove he belongs.
Wiles may not be a flamethrower or a top-ranked prospect, but he’s been steady. He throws strikes, mixes speeds, and gives the bullpen a chance to stay in the bullpen. And right now, that’s exactly what Atlanta needs.
Fuentes Falters, Gets a Reset
Meanwhile, Fuentes just wasn’t ready — plain and simple. He’s got talent. The No. 10 prospect in the organization has electric stuff on paper, but nothing clicked in his four big-league starts. His ERA? A whopping 13.85. His WHIP? A staggering 2.23. And his latest outing? Ugly doesn’t begin to describe it.
One-plus inning. Eight earned runs. One inside-the-park home run to start the game, followed by a couple of two-run blasts, five hits, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and he left the bases loaded. Jesse Chavez came in to clean it up and gave up a grand slam. That’s 11 runs on the board before the third inning. That’s not just a bad outing — that’s a crater.
Look, Fuentes is young. He’ll bounce back. However, this was a classic case of a person being rushed up the ladder and getting burned for it. Atlanta had no choice here. He needs to rebuild that confidence in Gwinnett — and maybe tweak a few things while he’s at it.
Who’s Next in the Braves’ Fifth Spot?
Now let’s look ahead. Atlanta’s rotation is shaping up for the week: Spencer Strider, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Nathan Wiles, and then a question mark. Manager Brian Snitker has already said another bullpen day — like the one they tried for Spencer Schwellenbach’s spot — is not happening again anytime soon.
So, who takes that fifth start? Two names are floating: Davis Daniel and Hurston Waldrep. Daniel is coming off a July 6 start and has been quietly reliable in Triple-A, sporting a 3.52 ERA. He’s got six big-league starts under his belt with the Angels last year, and he’s already been up this season, tossing a scoreless frame.
Waldrep, on the other hand, has had a tougher go. He debuted last season and looked kind of like Fuentes. Seven innings, 13 earned runs. His 5.25 ERA this season with Gwinnett isn’t exactly banging down the door.
And for anyone asking about Ian Anderson, not yet. He’s still on the 7-day injured list. That may change later this season, but he’s not in the mix this week.
Here’s the snapshot: Fuentes is down. Wiles up. One rotation spot is still TBD. And the Braves — still hunting for answers, still stitching together a staff on the fly. Stay tuned, because this rollercoaster isn’t done climbing.
