The Atlanta Braves announced Monday morning that they have activated ace right-hander Spencer Strider from the injured list. He will likely start Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
The #Braves today reinstated RHP Spencer Strider from the injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 19, 2025
Spencer Strider Returns to Braves Rotation
The writing was on the wall when Atlanta demoted Bryce Elder last Thursday, despite a solid run of starts in recent weeks. Dylan Dodd, who was called up Friday but didn’t pitch over the weekend, was sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move to make room for Strider.
Strider missed all but two starts in 2024 after undergoing an internal brace procedure for a partially torn UCL. He returned to make one start on April 16th against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing two runs with five strikeouts in five innings. Before he could make his second start, he felt a tweak in his hamstring while playing catch on April 21st. This was later revealed to be a Grade 1 strain, and ended up shelving the fireballer for nearly a month.
Huge Boost to Already Strong Rotation
The Braves apparently felt good enough about Strider’s progress to allow him to bypass a rehab assignment. On Wednesday, he pitched five innings in a simulated game against Braves Triple-A hitters, throwing 65 pitches and playing the field as well. Several reporters pointed out that his usually blazing fastball was sitting just 93-94 mph throughout the exercise. However, manager Brian Snitker downplayed this: “It’s going to take him repetitions and starts in order to build that velocity back. I think that’s normal for anybody who has been off for the time he has.”
Strider will round out a rotation that also includes Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, and AJ Smith-Shawver. The unit has been strong all year, and Strider will only help that cause. When healthy, the 26-year-old is one of the elite pitchers in baseball. In 2023, his last full season, he went 20-5 with a 13.5 K/9, good for a fourth-place Cy Young Award finish.
Photo Credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
