Didier Fuentes: Everything you need to know

Fuentes earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, allowing two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning. With Raisel Iglesias having pitched back-to-back days, it was Fuentes who got the call in the ninth inning Sunday. It didn't come easy for the 20-year-old right-hander, as the Pirates got the tying and go-ahead runs aboard with one out. However, Fuentes managed to induce a pop-up off the bat of Jared Triolo before striking out Endy Rodriguez to close out the one-run victory and earn his first career save. While Atlanta still views Fuentes as a long-term starter, he's been stellar out of the bullpen recently, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out 14 in his last 12 appearances (13.1 innings).

Fuentes (4-0) picked up the win Friday over the Reds, giving up one hit and striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief. The 20-year-old right-hander took the mound in the fifth inning with Atlanta ahead 4-2 after Grant Holmes got the hook, and while Fuentes did allow an inherited runner to score, he did enough to be credited with the win. He's been tagged for an earned run in only one of his 11 appearances in May, posting a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in 12.2 innings on the month. His long-term future still lies in the rotation, but Fuentes is giving Atlanta valuable long-relief innings this season.

Fuentes will likely remain in a long-relief role this season unless Atlanta endures further injuries in the rotation, but his long-term future is still as a starting pitcher, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports. "Developing starters in the bullpen used to be the blueprint in this game," manager Walt Weiss said Monday. "I think you have to identify the guys that can benefit, and (Fuentes) is one of those guys." The right-hander doesn't turn 21 years old for another few weeks, but Fuentes has been impressive in the big-league bullpen this season, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 13 appearances (one start) with three wins and two holds. He had been almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's adjusted well to his new role. "It's thanks to the veterans in the bullpen and rotation," Fuentes said Monday via a translator. "They've taught me so much about preparation and sequencing, but at the same time, they've helped me mature as a person."