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Atlanta Braves get Boost to Starting Rotation

The Atlanta Braves starting rotation is getting a boost in the form of Spencer Strider who is expected to start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

Harrison Smajovits, Harrison Smajovits

26-year-old Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider started just two games in 2024 after being an All-Star in 2023.
26-year-old Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider started just two games in 2024 after being an All-Star in 2023. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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The Atlanta Braves are getting a familiar face back on the mound. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano, starting pitcher Spencer Strider will start Monday’s home game in North Port against the Boston Red Sox. 

Ahead of his start on Monday, it was reported that manager Brian Snitker doesn't have a hard limit on Strider's innings or pitch count. Since he's been throwing in live batting practice, he's not being held to the same limits

Strider had been expected to make an appearance in a Spring Training game. He had been making substantial progress in his rehab. Each session has come with a good report. 

A report from earlier in March noted that he could be back in the rotation by the end of April.  

However, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported that there is now a chance Strider could be back as soon as the middle of April. 

Strider was sidelined with an elbow injury just two starts into the 2024 season. He didn’t undergo Tommy John surgery, but he was still required to sit out the remainder of the year. 

Once he’s back, FanGraphs has projected that you will see Strider be one of the top arms in the rotation.  He is projected to finish with an 9-5 record, a 3.20 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 119 innings pitched, a 1.10 WHIP, a 2.9 WAR and a 3.05 FIP. 

In 32 starts during his last full season, he finished with a 3.86 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and a 109 ERA+ in 186 2/3 innings. He led the National League in strikeouts with 281. This earned him an All-Star appearance, and he finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting. 

Once he returns, he will help bolster a rotation that saw Max Fried and Charlie Morton depart over the offseason.

UPDATE: At the time of the announcement that Strider would start on Sunday, no details for his outing were included. That has changed and been updated accordingly.

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Harrison Smajovits
HARRISON SMAJOVITS

Harrison Smajovits
HARRISON SMAJOVITS