If you’ve been anxiously awaiting updates on Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider, here’s some good news—he’s moving in the right direction.
On Friday, Strider threw a side session with a hitter in the box. Before you get too excited, this wasn’t live batting practice. The hitter was just standing there, watching pitches go by, which might sound a little odd, but there’s a purpose to it.
It’s all about Strider getting a feel for throwing off the mound again without the added intensity of trying to get someone out.
A Standard Step in Recovery
At this point, Strider isn’t cleared for live BP yet, but that’s not a setback—it’s just part of the process. If you’ve ever watched pregame routines, you’ve probably seen pitchers do this sort of drill.
It’s a standard step in ramping up to full competition. The real takeaway here is that Strider is progressing, and the Braves are being smart about his recovery.
Let’s take a step back and look at where Strider is coming from. The last time we saw him in live game action was way back on April 5, 2024, before a UCL injury sidelined him.
Thankfully, he avoided Tommy John surgery, instead undergoing a procedure that involved placing an internal brace in his right elbow.
That’s a relatively new approach in the baseball world. The hope is that it leads to a smoother and faster recovery than a full reconstruction.
The Braves Are Taking No Chances
The Braves aren’t rushing him back, and they’re taking a similarly cautious approach with another superstar recovering from injury—Ronald Acuña Jr., who’s working his way back from a second torn ACL.
That’s a lot of star power on the mend, but the Braves are playing the long game here. They know getting these guys back at full strength is more important than hurrying them onto the field.
When Strider was last fully healthy in 2023, he was dominant. We’re talking about a 20-5 record, a 3.86 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and 281 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings.
That performance landed him an All-Star nod and a fourth-place finish in Cy Young voting.
What to Expect in 2025
The expectations for his return are still high, and according to FanGraphs, projections for 2025 suggest a 3.19 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 158 strikeouts in 119 innings. Of course, projections are just that—projections.
The real test will come when Strider finally steps back onto the mound in live game action. The Braves haven’t set a specific return date, but all signs point to him returning early in the season.
Until then, it’s all about patience and incremental progress. Braves fans know this team is built for the long haul, and if they get a fully healthy Strider back, it will make a big difference in their rotation.
