If Spencer Strider¡¯s performance in his third rehab start had to be ranked, it would probably land somewhere between the utter dominance of his Grapefruit League debut and the grit of his second outing. Nonetheless, Strider took one more step toward his big league return.
Strider, who started the season on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from his April 2024 right elbow surgery, took the mound for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday at Truist Field in Charlotte. He pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out six on 60 pitches. The Stripers lost, 12-4, to Charlotte.
Strider had his moments. He allowed an RBI double to the White Sox No. 2-ranked prospect Kyle Teel on an outside curveball in the first inning. He hit a batter on a slider low and inside in the second. But Strider settled in, striking out four of the last nine batters he faced.
¡°He got through what we wanted him to do,¡± said Braves manager Brian Snitker, who was following Strider¡¯s performance on MiLB Gameday. ¡°He got three and 60. That¡¯s where we wanted him to go.¡±
Getting to three full innings was a big step, as Strider threw 2 2/3 and 1 1/3 innings in his spring starts. He hasn¡¯t pitched in a Major League game since a bone spur damaged his right ulnar collateral ligament after his second start of the 2024 season. Instead of a second Tommy John surgery since 2019 and the 18-month recovery that comes with it, Strider opted to have a brace inserted into his elbow to stabilize his UCL.
It¡¯s a procedure that normally requires nine to 12 months of recovery, and Strider¡¯s still considered on track to rejoin the Braves sometime in mid-April. That means he¡¯s likely looking at two more rehab starts with Gwinnett, barring any setbacks.
The front end of Atlanta¡¯s rotation has performed well through their Opening Series, despite the Braves¡¯ 0-3 record. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale and Reynaldo L¨®pez each gave up three earned runs in five innings in back-and-forth contests. On Saturday, Spencer Schwellenbach threw six scoreless innings with one hit allowed in the Braves¡¯ 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres.
The impending return of Strider -- an All-Star in 2023 when he led the National League in wins and strikeouts -- likely means that either Grant Holmes or rookie AJ Smith-Shawver will slide into the bullpen.
But Strider still has hurdles to clear before he can get there.
¡°As long as he comes out of it tomorrow, throws his next side, then that'll be a big step forward for him,¡± Snitker said.