The Braves now have a spring training roadmap, with February 19 marking the first date on the calendar for baseball to get rolling again in 2027.
Atlanta opens in Sarasota against the Baltimore Orioles, then heads to Tampa to face the New York Yankees on February 20 before returning to CoolToday Park for its home opener on February 21 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The club is slated to play 30 spring games overall, wrapping up at home on March 21 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
That final tune-up comes before a quick turnaround. Once the spring slate ends, the Braves will head back to Cobb County and then fly to Los Angeles for Opening Day against the Dodgers on March 25.
MLB’s release also noted that a batch of exhibition games from Saturday, March 20 through Tuesday, March 23 will be played in Major and Minor League ballparks. Among the matchups listed are the Blue Jays at the Rays at Tropicana Field on March 20; the Tigers at the Rays on March 21 and March 23; the Giants against the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats at Sutter Health Park on March 21; the Dodgers hosting the Angels at Dodger Stadium on March 21; the Orioles hosting the Nationals at Camden Yards on March 21; the Nationals hosting the Orioles at Nationals Park on March 22; the Angels hosting the Dodgers at Angel Stadium on March 22-23; the Giants hosting the Red Sox at Oracle Park on March 22-23; and the Astros hosting the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Daikin Park on March 22-23. MLB said more of those games are expected to be added later.
There is, of course, the usual caveat hanging over all of this. The schedule is subject to change, and the source material points to the possibility of a labor dispute on the offseason horizon. Spring training could be shortened if any lockout stretches through the winter, though the hope is that neither side lets it get to that point.
The bigger concern, as noted in the source material, is for the ballpark workers and staff who stand to lose the most if games are wiped out. For now, though, February 19 is the date Braves fans can circle, with times for the full schedule still to be determined.
Friday 2/19 at Orioles
Saturday 2/20 at Yankees
Sunday 2/21 vs. Cardinals
Monday 2/22 vs. Rays
Tuesday 2/23 at Pirates
Wednesday 2/24 vs. Yankees
Thursday 2/25 at Tigers
Friday 2/26 vs. Rays
Saturday 2/27 vs. Red Sox
Sunday 2/28 vs. Blue Jays
Monday 3/1 OFF DAY
Tuesday 3/2 vs. Mets
Wednesday 3/3 at Pirates
Thursday 3/4 at Cardinals
Friday 3/5 at Mets
Saturday 3/6 vs. Red Sox
Sunday 3/7 vs. Rays
Monday 3/8 at Twins
Tuesday 3/9 vs. Tigers
Wednesday 3/10 at Red Sox
Thursday 3/11 vs. Twins
Friday 3/12 at Rays
Saturday 3/13 vs. Orioles
Sunday 3/14 at Phillies
Monday 3/15 vs. Twins
Tuesday 3/16 at Rays
Wednesday 3/17 OFF DAY
Thursday 3/18 vs. Phillies
Friday 3/19 at Blue Jays
Saturday 3/20 vs. Red Sox (SS)
Saturday 3/20 at Twins (SS)
Sunday 3/21 vs. Pirates
In Other News...
Braves Left-Field Mess Could Force A Big Lineup Move
The Braves are headed into an offseason with more questions than usual on the outfield corners, and left field looks like the spot where the puzzle could get most complicated. Jurickson Profar has been suspended twice and is now being viewed by some analysts as a possible cut candidate, which would leave Atlanta with a clear opening to rework that part of the lineup. The front office already made one move by acquiring Lane Thomas from the Royals, but that addition may not be the end of the search.
Atlanta could still be in the market for another impact bat, especially if the club wants more power in left field and a cleaner everyday fit in the order. Randy Arozarena has been mentioned as a possible target, and his name alone shows how far the Braves might be willing to push this offseason if they decide the current mix is not enough. The bigger question is whether the next move is about depth, insurance, or a true lineup shake-up. [Read more 🡒]
Braves May Be Rethinking Didier Fuentes Future Faster Than Expected
Didier Fuentes has spent this season carving out a role in the bullpen, and the early returns have given the Braves plenty to think about. The top pitching prospect has been effective in relief, posting a 1.85 ERA over 58.1 innings, a strong showing for a pitcher long viewed as a starter in the making. What once looked like a temporary adjustment now appears to be carrying more weight, especially as Atlanta continues sorting out how best to use one of its more promising arms.
Jesus Cano reported that Fuentes path back to a starting role may be in doubt, with the bullpen move potentially becoming permanent. Nothing has been finalized yet, but the possibility says plenty about how teams are valuing reliable relief pitching now and how quickly a prospects long-term plan can change when he keeps getting outs in a different role. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Took A Risk With Lefty Prospect Upside
The Braves made a small but meaningful roster move when they designated left-hander Hayden Harris for assignment to clear a spot, and Colorado quickly stepped in to claim him off waivers. Atlanta had seen enough upside to keep him in the conversation, but the need for immediate roster flexibility pushed the decision, and now Harris is on to Triple-A Albuquerque after landing with the Rockies.
Harris has given teams a reason to dream a little because of his strikeout ability, even as the command has wavered in recent seasons. For the Braves, it is the kind of move that can sting later if the lefty irons out the control issues elsewhere, since this was less about performance in a vacuum than about a club trying to manage its roster in the moment. [Read more 🡒]