The wait is almost over for the Atlanta Braves. Spencer Strider is set to take the mound tomorrow afternoon for his long-anticipated return. Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has confirmed that Strider will make his Spring Training debut against the Boston Red Sox.
The Braves front office had hoped he’d be able to get at least one start in before camp ended. But they’ve been adamant all along that neither Strider nor Ronald Acuña Jr. would be rushed back from injury. Now, it looks like Strider is right on schedule.
First Start With Braves Since Surgery
This will be Strider’s first appearance in a game since April 5, 2024. That day, he threw four innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Just a day later, the Braves learned he’d need surgery to repair his UCL, shutting him down for the remainder of the season.
It wasn’t Tommy John surgery, but the recovery process was still extensive. After almost a year of rehab and buildup, Strider is finally ready to test his arm in a live game setting.
A Huge Boost for the Braves’ Rotation
Atlanta was already prepared to start the 2025 season without both Acuña Jr. and Strider. With Strider now set to make multiple Spring Training starts, his return to the rotation could come sooner than expected. If all goes well, he might not just be back in May—he could be ready to go before April is even over.
The biggest question mark for Atlanta this spring has been the back end of the rotation. With Strider working his way back, that concern could disappear quickly.
Once he’s ready to rejoin the big league club, he’ll slot into a rotation that’s already stacked. The Braves rotation includes reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale, along with Reynaldo López and promising young arm Spencer Schwellenbach. That group has the potential to be one of the best in baseball. Adding Strider back into the mix only makes it stronger.
Strider’s Electric Stuff is Almost Back
When Strider was last fully healthy in 2023, he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. He set a Braves franchise record for strikeouts in a season and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting.
That year, he posted a 3.86 ERA and a 2.85 FIP and was ranked in the 99th percentile in strikeout percentage. Few pitchers in baseball can match his ability to rack up swings and misses, and if his fastball is still hitting 99 mph, hitters will have their hands full once again.
Reports out of camp have been nothing but positive—Strider has looked sharp in his bullpens, and now it’s time to see how that translates to a live game.
Tomorrow’s start isn’t just another Spring Training outing. It’s the next step in getting one of baseball’s most electric pitchers back on the mound. If everything goes according to plan, Braves fans won’t have to wait much longer before Strider is back doing what he does best.
