Alright, Braves fans, here comes some news you’ve been waiting for. Spencer Strider, the mustached maestro of strikeouts, might return to Atlanta’s rotation sooner than expected.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the hard-throwing right-hander could return to the mound by the end of April if everything goes according to plan.
That’s the kind of update Braves fans needed after watching their ace go down early in the 2024 season with an elbow injury that required internal brace surgery.
Strider Making Encouraging Progress
Now, let’s talk progress. Strider has been ramping up his recovery, throwing bullpen sessions, and even has a shot at getting some live game action before the end of Spring Training. That’s a huge step forward.
Of course, the Braves will be cautious, nobody wants to rush a guy coming off elbow surgery. If he avoids setbacks, we could be looking at one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball when he joins reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale in the rotation.
That duo should send chills down the spines of opposing hitters.
One of MLB’s Best Strikeout Artists
Strider’s track record speaks for those keeping score at home. He’s already built a 32-10 record with a 3.47 ERA in just two full seasons, striking out a jaw-dropping 495 batters in 329.2 innings.
That kind of dominance isn’t easy to find, and if he returns close to his usual form, Atlanta’s rotation just got a whole lot scarier.
Of course, there’s still work to do. Strider might be on an innings limit as he works his way back, and until then, the Braves will rely on a rotation featuring Sale, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, Ian Anderson, and Grant Holmes.
It’s a group with talent, but getting Strider back would add that extra firepower the team needs as they chase another deep postseason run.
Braves Looking to Bounce Back in 2025
Atlanta is coming off a strong but ultimately disappointing 2024 campaign, finishing second in the NL East before getting bounced by the Padres in the Wild Card round.
With Strider healthy and back on the mound, the Braves hope to flip that script in 2025. And if he returns to his dominant self? Let’s just say the rest of the National League should be on high alert.
