NEW YORK — The Braves need to address their rotation sooner rather than later. Otherwise, making an addition might be a moot point.
Didier Fuentes, who’s shown promise at age 20, isn’t ready to start regularly in a rotation. The Mets illustrated that, tagging him for six runs on eight hits in 3-1/3 innings.
The Braves have been dealt a tough hand rotation-wise. A.J. Smith-Shawver is done for the season. Reynaldo Lopez wouldn’t return until later in the second half (and might be a reliever upon returning). Chris Sale is sidelined indefinitely with two fractured ribs.