Braves' Spencer Strider: Dealing with Grade 1 strain
Rotowire
Strider was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring Tuesday, and his return timeline is expected to be determined over the next couple weeks, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
It's an encouraging diagnosis after Strider landed on the injured list Monday, though he still seems set to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf. After recovering from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his elbow last year, the right-hander was able to make just one start in 2025 before suffering the hamstring injury.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Stuck with loss in season debut
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Strider (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings as Atlanta was downed 3-1 by the Blue Jays. He struck out five.
Making his first big-league start since April 5 of last season after completing his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow, Strider looked strong early and topped out at 97.9 mph with his fastball on a strikeout of Vladimir Guerrero in the first inning. The Toronto slugger got his revenge though, taking Strider deep on a slider in the top of the sixth to help chase the right-hander from the game. Strider handled a full workload, tossing 58 of 97 pitches for strikes, and his final strikeout of the day was the 500th of his career. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Cardinals.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: On track to start Wednesday
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Atlanta is planning to activate Strider (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Wednesday in Toronto, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Shortly after Strider completed his third and final rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said that the right-hander was on track to return from the IL during the upcoming week. While Atlanta has yet to officially confirm that Strider will debut Wednesday, the 26-year-old felt good during his bullpen session Sunday and will take the hill for the series finale in Toronto, barring any unforeseen setbacks with his arm. Strider is just over a year removed from undergoing internal brace surgery on his right elbow, but he exhibited no signs of rust during his two Grapefruit League starts and three rehab outings. He got stretched out to 5.1 innings and 90 pitches in his final start with Gwinnett, striking out 13 of the 21 batters he faced while inducing 21 swings-and-misses. Atlanta likely won't push Strider past the 100-pitch mark Wednesday, but given how strong he's looked during his time on the farm, fantasy managers who have been stashing him will likely want to activate him right away this week.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Dominant in Friday's rehab start
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Strider (elbow) fired 5.1 scoreless, no-hit innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. He walked two and struck out eight.
The right-hander built up to 74 pitches, and per Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, Strider topped out at 97.7 mph with his fastball. Atlanta isn't going to rush through the end of his rehab from an internal brace procedure performed last April, but Strider is closing in on his return to the big-league rotation. If he stays on schedule and makes two more rehab outings, it would put him on track for his 2025 debut April 19, at home against the Twins.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Making second rehab start
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Strider (elbow) is making a rehab start Friday for Triple-A Gwinnett, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.
The right-hander threw 60 pitches over three innings during his first rehab start with Gwinnett last weekend, and he'll continue building up his workload Friday. Strider is almost exactly one year removed from undergoing internal brace surgery on his right elbow, and he'll likely require another rehab start or two after Friday before rejoining the Atlanta rotation.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Moves to injured list
Rotowire
Atlanta placed Strider (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Monday.
The move is simply a procedural one for the right-hander as he finishes up his rehab from the internal brace procedure he underwent last April. Strider was able to get in two Grapefruit League starts before the end of spring training and had a 10:1 K:BB with two earned runs allowed over four innings, potentially setting him up to make his 2025 debut as early as mid-April.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Second spring start set
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Strider (elbow) will start Sunday's spring game against the Orioles and is scheduled to throw about 45-50 pitches, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
It'll be the second Grapefruit League appearance for Strider, who is nearing the end of his rehab from an internal brace procedure. The right-hander threw 27 pitches across 2.2 innings during his spring debut Monday, and he'll require at least a couple more outings after Sunday to ramp up his workload. Strider could be ready to join Atlanta's rotation in mid-April.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Dazzles in spring debut
Rotowire
Strider (elbow) struck out six batters over 2.2 perfect innings during his Grapefruit League debut Monday versus the Red Sox.
Cleared to pitch for the first time since April 5, 2024 after completing his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, Strider looked as dominant as ever Monday. He found the strike zone on 23 of his 27 pitches and struck out six of the eight batters he faced, with the other two outs coming on a weak popout into foul territory and a first-pitch groundout. His velocity also appeared right in line with pre-surgery levels, with Strider topping out at 98 miles per hour on a first-inning strikeout of outfield prospect Roman Anthony. Since Strider will still need to get stretched out over the course of multiple starts, he remains on track to open the season on the 15-day injured list, but his dominant performance Monday makes a mid-to-late April debut increasingly realistic and is likely to send his ADP soaring.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Nearing game action
Rotowire
Strider (elbow) will throw at least one more live batting practice session before getting into a spring game, either in Grapefruit League action or in a minor-league contest, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The ace right-hander looked very good in his first live BP session Friday, tossing two simulated innings as he continues his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow. "I think it's gone super well," Strider said about his rehab after the BP session. "In hindsight, there's always going to be things we could have done differently, places where we should have slowed down and places where we should have sped up. But I think it's been a really seamless process so far." If Strider is able to begin building up by the final week of camp, it's possible he could come off the IL and rejoin the Atlanta rotation by the end of April, although the team's schedule presents an added wrinkle on that front. Atlanta will be playing in Coors Field on April 28-30, hardly an ideal environment for a pitcher to make his return from a serious arm injury.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Mixes in curve during side session
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Strider (elbow) threw to batters Friday, using both his fastball and curveball as he continues his recovery from last April's elbow surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
It was the first time this spring Strider had thrown more than just a bullpen session, although the hitters stepping into the box against him were instructed not to swing. The next step for the right-hander will be live batting practice, but Atlanta hasn't indicated yet when that might happen. "We've done such a good job of building a base, making sure mechanics are in a good spot. My stuff and command have come along better than I could have expected," Strider said after Friday's session. After he added a curve to his repertoire in 2023, there had been some speculation he might abandon the pitch in case it had contributed to his latest elbow woes, but Strider has no intention of doing that. "I know some people have speculated, but those people, kindly, don't have all the information," Strider said. "So I appreciate their interest, but..." He remains on track to miss the first month or so of the regular season, but the organization has held off providing any sort of firm timeline for his 2025 debut.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Late-April return possible
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Strider (elbow) could make at least one Grapefruit League appearance this spring and be ready for his season debut by late April, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Recovering from last April's internal brace procedure on his right elbow, Strider will begin the season on the 15-day injured list. However, he has been throwing bullpen sessions and might be ready to rejoin Atlanta's rotation around a month into the season. Any timetable for the righty is approximate for now, but more clarity should be available as spring training rolls along.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Making progress
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Strider (elbow) has completed four bullpen sessions and is on track to have a mostly normal spring training, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.
Strider's progress is notable and a strong sign of his potential to contribute significant innings in 2025. However, general manager Alex Anthopoulos reiterated that the current plan is that Strider will not open the season on the active roster. More details about his timeline should emerge as spring training begins and progresses.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Not expected by Opening Day
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Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday it's unlikely Strider (elbow) will be ready for Opening Day, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The revelation isn't altogether surprising, as Anthopoulos indicated last month that while Opening Day was possible for Strider, the pitcher's season debut might not come until early June. Any timeline at this point is approximate, with more clarity likely to come by spring training. Strider is working his way back from an internal brace procedure he underwent in mid-April.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Officially moves to injured list
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Atlanta placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a UCL sprain in his right elbow.
The 25-year-old righty underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed damage to the UCL in his right elbow, so it was only a matter of time before he landed on the injured list. It's unclear at this point if Strider will require Tommy John surgery -- which would be the second such procedure of his career -- but he's likely facing a lengthy absence regardless.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: MRI shows damage to UCL
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Strider underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will be further evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, at a date yet to be determined.
Strider reported discomfort in his right elbow after his second start of the season in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning win over Arizona, and the worst-case scenario seems to be unfolding for the 25-year-old. If Tommy John surgery is deemed necessary, it would be the second for Strider in his young career. He should be considered out indefinitely, with a move to the injured list likely before the weekend is out. Bryce Elder is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace Strider in Atlanta's starting rotation.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Dealing with elbow discomfort
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Strider reported discomfort in his right elbow after his start Friday against Arizona, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Strider surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and three walks across four innings while striking out four, and his elbow may have played a part in his poor performance. He's slated to receive an MRI on Saturday, which will provide a better idea of how much time -- if any -- the right-hander will miss.
Strider won't start Wednesday after Atlanta's game versus the White Sox was postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The game will be made up on June 27, which had been a mutual off day for the two clubs. Atlanta is off Thursday, which means Strider's next start will come Friday at home against the Diamondbacks.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Fans eight in no-decision
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Strider came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-3 win over the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out eight.
The right-hander fired 59 of 90 pitches for strikes and generated 18 swinging strikes in a typically dominant performance, but Atlanta didn't take the lead until the eighth inning. Strider led all pitchers with 35 strikeouts this spring in 22.2 innings, and he didn't slow down in his first regular-season start. After racking up a league-high 281 Ks last year in 186.2 innings, Strider will take aim at 300 in 2024.
Strider and Atlanta won't face the Phillies on Thursday after the game was postponed due to forecasted rain in Philadelphia.
The season opener for both clubs has been rescheduled for Friday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Strider, who had been slated to take the hill Thursday, will presumably be bumped back one day in the schedule to go head-to-head against the Phillies' Opening Day starter, Zack Wheeler.
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Braves' Spencer Strider: Arsenal could expand
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Strider unveiled a curveball during a live batting practice session against Matt Olson on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
After the BP session, Strider was reluctant to label his new toy as a true curveball, instead suggesting it was just a modified version of his slider. "The terminology, you know, on all this stuff - sweeper, slider, cutter, curve, slurve, who knows what anything does? I think it's just manipulating the ball a little more, seeing what kind of different shapes I can get." The right-hander has become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball while relying on two pitches, a fastball that in 2023 had an average velocity of 97.2 mph (93rd percentile) and a slider that generated a 55.3 percent whiff rate. Strider did sprinkle in a changeup once in a while last year (7.3 percent), but if he can add another breaking pitch as well, at-bats against him could become even more frustrating.
