The Atlanta Braves open up their regular season on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, but with the MLB season set to kick off on Wednesday night, the Braves have finalized their Opening Day roster.
After a disappointing 2025 season, the Braves enter 2026 with renewed expectations. Atlanta retained most of its free agents and added the likes of Mike Yastrzemski and Robert Suarez. There are certainly notable subtractions due to external circumstances, but the Braves are still projected to compete for an NL East crown. Chris Sale will get the Opening Day nod for the Braves, and Atlanta’s roster might look a little worse now than it week in a couple of months due to recent injuries.
Here is the Opening Day 26-man roster for the Atlanta Braves
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Braves 26-Man Opening Day Roster
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 22: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a single to lead off the first inning at Truist Park on April 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Per the Braves social media team, this is the Braves 26-man roster to start the season.
Pitchers: Osvaldo Bido, Aaron Bummer, Bryce Elder, Didier Fuentes, Grant Holmes, Tyler Kinley, Raisel Iglesias, Joel Payamps, Dylan Lee, Reynaldo Lopez, Chris Sale, Jose Suarez, and Robert Suarez.
Catchers: Drake Baldwin, Jonah Heim.
Infielders: Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubon, Kyle Farmer, Jorge Mateo, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Dominic Smith
Outfielders: Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Eli White, Mike Yastrzemski.
There are no real surprises with this roster announcement. Dom Smith earned his way onto the Braves Opening Day roster with a strong spring training after being signed in February. Eli White fills in for Jurickson Profar, and the pitching staff is still dealing with injuries.
Ha-Seong Kim will also start the season on the IL, but he will have a spot in the infield group once he returns. Kyle Farmer, Jonah Heim, Jorge Mateo, and Dom Smith will be the bench options for new manager Walt Weiss.
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Braves’ 2026 Projections
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 14: Spencer Strider #65 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Braves, despite injuries to Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep to start the season, are still projected to win around 90 games. The Braves won 76 games last season, but will enjoy a (hopefully) full season from Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Robert Suarez/Raisel Iglesias, which might be enough to see a 14-game improvement.
The pitching staff is the biggest question mark going into the season, but the middle infield group lacks depth if Ozzie Albies or Mauricio Dubon can’t play every day.
Adding Mike Yastrzemski should prove to be beneficial, but the Braves’ front office might have to make some moves at some point this season to maximize the core of this roster.
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Braves Make Final Roster Announcement Before MLB Opening Day