Injuries have not been kind to the Atlanta Braves‘ starting rotation in September.
Bryce Elder (arthroscopic right knee surgery), Reynaldo López (right shoulder inflammation), and Martín Pérez (lower back inflammation) have all landed on the 15-day injured list this month and remain there.
Those injuries have led the Braves to use openers in the first two games of their final regular-season series against the Miami Marlins.
On Friday, Ray Kerr impressed with three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk before Grant Holmes took over as the bulk pitcher.
Saturday was 37-year-old southpaw Brent Suter’s turn to open. He, too, impressed, retiring nine straight batters over the first three innings after allowing a leadoff single.
Suter’s first start with Atlanta continued his stellar run with the Braves after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels at this summer’s MLB trade deadline.
In 13 appearances (one start) with his new team, Suter is 2-0 with a 1.63 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 27.2 innings. He has also recorded 23 strikeouts against eight walks, while holding opposing hitters to a .225 batting average.
Across 41 games (three starts) with the Angels earlier this season, Suter posted a 4.12 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 63.1 innings with 55 strikeouts and 17 walks.
Suter’s strong showing has given the Braves a stabilizing relief option and further depth. Atlanta’s bullpen has been one of its biggest strengths all season, with a 3.44 ERA that ranks fourth-best in the majors.
That impressive number has come even without setup man Robert Suarez for most of 2026. Suarez was sidelined for three months with right elbow inflammation, but was activated from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. He has made two appearances since then and has allowed two runs on three hits over two innings.
With Suarez still ramping back up as the postseason nears, Suter should remain a go-to option out of the bullpen in the Braves’ National League Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday.
However, Suter’s impressive outing as an opener on Saturday, combined with Atlanta’s starting pitching injuries, could make him a valuable option in that role during the postseason.
The Braves are locked into the No. 3 seed and will face either the Philadelphia Phillies or the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both lineups feature several prominent left-handed bats, making Suter a potential opener.
Either way, Suter’s success in Atlanta has made him a key piece of the Braves’ bullpen as they look to make a World Series run.
But first, Atlanta (94-67) concludes its regular season on Sunday in Miami at 3:10 p.m. ET.
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