WASHINGTON — JR Ritchie’s time has come.

Braves manager Walt Weiss confirmed Wednesday, after the Braves beat the Nationals at Nationals Park, that Ritchie would make his MLB debut in a start at 1:05 p.m. Thursday.

Ritchie takes the place of Didier Fuentes, who was called up Wednesday to make a start for the Braves.

“I’m excited to see JR,” Weiss said. “And this is a tough lineup, it’s gonna be a challenge for him. It’s going to be very left-handed, I’m sure, but he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one. He showed really well in spring training. He’s pitching well. He’s a talented kid. I’m excited to see another one of our young arms, and he goes out there with chance for us to win another series.”

Ritchie, 22, was a first-round pick of the Braves in 2022 and is considered the organization’s No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett and has 28 strikeouts in 27⅓ innings.

In a separate move Wednesday, per Weiss, Dylan Dodd will be placed on the injured list with an undetermined injury. Veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco will take Dodd’s place.

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie, back, hugs his fiancée Makena Miller after winning his major league debut baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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