Jeff Francoeur wants Didier Fuentes in the Braves rotation. Should they do it?

Six weeks ago, it was a lot easier for the Braves to feel confident about their rotation — even if they were still searching for answers on who exactly the #2 and #3 behind Chris Sale would be. Nobody had quite performed up to that level, but there were plenty of internal options with the upside to play the part.

A lot has changed since then, with those options are dwindling fast. Spencer Strider is on the IL following yet another elbow injury. It feels highly unlikely he returns this season, and even when he was on the mound, he wasn’t effective. There’s no reason for the Braves to rush him back.

Martin Perez showed signs of severe regression before the All-Star break, then joined Strider on the IL with a forearm contusion. He should be able to return this season, but he’s really nothing more than an innings eater at this point in his career. The same can be said about Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes — fine at the back of the rotation, but not arms that are going to carry the Braves to a division title, let alone a World Series.

The real hope lied with the young arms and the guys coming back from injury. So far, it’s just been a reminder that relying on those types of options is a recipe for disaster.

JR Ritchie doesn’t quite look ready — at least not to be a featured piece at the top of a rotation. Hurston Waldrep returned, got smacked around while flashing zero control of his repertoire, and is now back in Gwinnett. AJ Smith-Shawver is next in line, likely to rejoin the club sometime this month. He’s flashed some really impressive stuff during his rehab assignment, but this is a 23-year-old with 15 MLB starts under his belt coming off Tommy John surgery. He shouldn’t be expected to be the club’s saving grace.

Every single option outside of Chris Sale is a hope and a prayer as the second half approaches. It’s left the Braves with no choice but to aggressively pursue starting pitching at the trade deadline — which is always extraordinarily expensive, and they might need more than just one arm.

There is one internal option they haven’t given a fair look, however: Didier Fuentes, who Jeff Francoeur believes should make his way back to the rotation in the second half.

Jeff Francoeur believes the Braves should begin stretching out Didier Fuentes as a starter.

"The need right now outweighs the role that he's had."

Frenchy says he'd like to see Atlanta build Fuentes' innings now with an eye toward making him a full-time starter. pic.twitter.com/GrAhBygXn7

— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) July 13, 2026

This is a topic I’ve discussed at length before, and as the season has progressed, it’s only become more evident the Braves could use an arm like Fuentes in their rotation. He has legitimate frontline starter potential and should be oozing with confidence given the way he’s performed out of the bullpen.

That said, there’s a compelling argument on the other side — the one against messing up a good thing. Didier Fuentes has been an absolute weapon in relief, a guy who can get big outs no matter the situation. Losing him in that role would be a blow to the bullpen, and there’s no guarantee he’d immediately adjust to starting.

It’s also not easy to stretch out a starter mid-season. The Braves would likely have to begin that process over the All-Star break, then give Fuentes some starts in the minors before recalling him to join the rotation. Dreaming about his repertoire in the rotation without acknowledging everything it takes to get there is just that — a dream. It’s something the Braves will undoubtedly consider, but they might wait to see how things shake out at the trade deadline before making such a drastic decision with one of their brightest young arms.

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(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)