TAMPA -- Braves manager Brian Snitker confirmed Spencer Strider will likely make his season debut against the Blue Jays on Wednesday in Toronto.
¡±That¡¯s the plan right now,¡± Snitker said. ¡°He had a side [session] today, and hopefully he comes in tomorrow and is feeling great.¡±
Strider reunited with his Braves teammates in Tampa on Sunday morning, threw before the series finale against the Rays and then traveled with the team to Toronto on Sunday evening. He made just two starts last year before suffering a season-ending right elbow injury.
Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of Strider undergoing surgery to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament. Instead of undergoing the Tommy John procedure he underwent while at Clemson in 2019, he went with the internal brace procedure, which requires far less recovery time.
Strider recorded 13 strikeouts and allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett in Norfolk on Thursday. He struck out nine of the first 10 batters he faced in this final rehab start and totaled 27 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings in three rehab starts for Gwinnett. He began his buildup with two Grapefruit League starts.
Strider led MLB with 483 strikeouts from 2022-23. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole ranked second with 479 strikeouts, which he tallied in 91 1/3 more innings.