The Atlanta Braves’ rotation has suddenly become one of the team’s biggest concerns. With Spencer Strider sidelined until at least August, JR Ritchie struggling in his return from Triple-A, and both Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes enduring rough stretches, Martín Pérez has arguably emerged as Atlanta’s second-most reliable starter.
The Braves do have alternatives in Reynaldo López and Didier Fuentes, but neither pitcher is currently stretched out enough to take on a full starting role.
If Atlanta decides to shake up the rotation, it could take inspiration from a creative approach recently adopted by the Seattle Mariners.
Last month, the Mariners began using a piggyback system when Bryce Miller returned from an oblique injury. Rather than asking him to handle a full workload immediately, Seattle paired him with Luis Castillo, splitting games between the two starters.
The strategy proved highly effective, as the duo surrendered just two runs over 19 combined innings across two appearances. Encouraged by the results, the Mariners have opted to continue the arrangement through the All-Star break.
Atlanta could implement a similar plan by using either López or Fuentes as an opener ahead of Holmes or Ritchie.
This would allow the Braves to gradually build up one of their pitchers’ workloads with a structured pitch count, eventually aiming for 80 to 90 pitches per outing while reducing immediate pressure on the rotation.
There are drawbacks, however. Moving either López or Fuentes into this role would reduce the bullpen’s depth.
Fuentes, in particular, has been one of Atlanta’s most effective relievers this season, making a transition less appealing. His youth and limited professional workload also suggest the bullpen may remain his best fit for now.
López presents another challenge. Although he has posted solid results since returning to relief duties, including scoreless outings in four of his last five appearances, he has struggled when asked to cover multiple innings, allowing runs in three of his four multi-inning appearances.
Even so, with the trade deadline still weeks away, the Braves may need to determine whether López can successfully transition back into a starting role. A piggyback strategy could offer the organization a low-risk opportunity to find out while stabilizing a rotation in need of answers.
