Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider took the mound in a big league game for the first time since last April. The right-hander looked solid as he struck out five batters, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings of work. Strider surprisingly came out for the sixth inning, but was quickly pulled from the contest after running into some trouble. Fantasy managers didn't get great results from Strider, but he might need a few starts to shake off some rust. His next start will come against the St. Louis Cardinals next week. Strider is a must-start going forward considering he's one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

The Atlanta Braves officially activated right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, and he will make his 2025 season debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the team optioned right-hander Zach Thompson to Triple-A Gwinnett. While Strider will be a bit more risky in DFS lineups in his season debut, fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately after how dominant he was during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab start and will make his return to Atlanta's starting rotation just over a year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. In his 13 2/3 innings at Gwinnett, Strider struck out 27, walked five and allowed just two runs. He proved in 2023 that he's a fantasy ace when he's healthy.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will throw a bullpen session in Tampa on Sunday and then travel with the team to Toronto for their series against the Blue Jays next week. The Athletic's David O'Brien says that it sounds like Spencer Schwellenbach will make his next start on Tuesday on regular rest, with Strider coming off the injured list to make his season debut on Wednesday. Nothing is official yet, but Strider is primed to return to Atlanta's starting rotation after giving up two earned runs on five hits while walking five and striking out 27 in 13 2/3 frames over his three minor-league rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old All-Star got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be fully stretched out for next week. He's coming off an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but Strider has the upside of a fantasy ace if he's right.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker isn't committing to right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) being activated from the 15-day injured list next week, but it's the current plan. After undergoing an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow early last year, Strider has worked his way all the way back and is on the cusp of rejoining Atlanta's starting rotation. The 26-year-old former All-Star in 2023 has looked dominant since he started pitching in games in spring training, and he capped it off by striking out 13 batters in 5 1/3 innings in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. Before that, he allowed an earned run in 8 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out 14 in two starts for Gwinnett. Strider go up to 90 pitches on Thursday and should be sufficiently stretched out to debut next week against the Toronto Blue Jays. It goes without saying that he should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) dominated in Thursday's minor-league rehab outing as he struck out 13 batters across 5 1/3 innings of work. He allowed just three hits, two walks, and one earned run. This was Strider's third rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett. Given that he was able to reach 90 pitches suggests he should be ready to make his regular-season debut in the majors. In his first two outings, Strider struck out 14 batters and allowed one run across 8 1/3 innings of work. Strider has been sidelined since undergoing an internal-brace procedure last April. He was able to participate in spring training but was placed on the 15-day injured list to continue to slowly build up his workload. Fantasy managers should monitor Atlanta's projected starters, as he could make his season debut as early as next week.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) is expected to get his pitch count up to around 90 in Thursday's rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old has looked dominant in two rehab starts to this point, racking up 14 strikeouts and yielding just two hits in eight and one-third innings pitched. Thursday's start is anticipated to be the final tune-up before the Braves activate him off the injured list for his 2025 MLB debut. Seemingly fully recovered from the internal brace procedure he underwent last year, fantasy managers should have confidence slotting the 2023 All-Star into their lineups. Assuming all goes well, his first start for the Braves could come against the Blue Jays in Toronto next week.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will make a third minor-league start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday at Triple-A Norfolk, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Even though Strider looked like his old dominant self during his latest rehab start, he will make one more minor-league appearance before the Braves reinstate him from the injured list following an internal-brace procedure around a year ago. In his two rehab outings for Gwinnett, the 26-year-old has allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking three and striking out 14 batters in 8 1/3 innings. He was especially dominating in his last outing on Friday in which he got up to 74 pitches. As long as Strider doesn't suffer a setback next Thursday, he should be ready to make his 2025 debut in the majors, and fantasy managers will want to throw him into their starting lineups right away.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) looked great on Friday in his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett, holding Triple-A Charlotte hitless on 74 pitches over 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight. Strider averaged 96 mph with his four-seam fastball and topped out at 97.7 mph. He struck out 10 of the 16 batters he faced in spring training and had six punchouts in three innings in his first rehab start for Gwinnett. Although he's a little less than a year removed from an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow, Strider could be back in Atlanta's starting rotation very soon. From 2022-23, the 26-year-old had 483 strikeouts with a 3.36 ERA in 318 2/3 innings pitched. His impending return to the big leagues will give the Braves a much-needed boost with 2024 All-Star Reynaldo Lopez needing arthroscopic right-shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) is making another minor-league rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Gwinnett, according to 929 The Game's Grant McAuley. Catcher Sean Murphy (rib) is expected to do the catching for Strider as he continues his own rehab assignment. Strider threw 60 pitches over three innings in his first rehab start for the Stripers and may only need to make one more rehab start after Friday's outing as long as he doesn't have a setback with his surgically-repaired right elbow. The 26-year-old had an internal-brace procedure almost exactly a year ago and is getting closer and closer to making his 2025 debut with the Braves. While Strider might be eased in initially in terms of his pitch count by the Braves, he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats and could be a difference maker for fantasy rotations sooner than later.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) was able to put together a strong rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. The right-hander allowed one run while striking out six batters across three innings of work. Strider was reportedly able to throw over 40 of his 60 pitches for strikes. The expectation is that Strider will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Braves rotation. However, fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if the Braves give Strider two or three more starts in order to build up his stamina after missing the vast majority of last year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. Strider should be back in the Braves rotation by the end of April.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. Strider was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week. Strider is working his way back from an internal brace procedure he underwent last April. He was able to log four innings during spring training and flashed elite strikeout upside as he tallied 10 punchouts over this short stint. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his progression in the minor leagues as he could return to the majors later in April. Last season, he was only able to pitch nine innings before being shut down. In 2023, the 26-year-old led the National League in strikeouts (281) and posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 186 2/3 innings. When he does return to the majors, prospect AJ Smith-Shawver or Grant Holmes could lose their spot in the rotation.

The Atlanta Braves officially placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) on the injured list, the team announced. Acuna was put on the 10-day IL, while Strider is on the 15-day IL. Additionally, infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) and catcher Sean Murphy (rib cage) were put on the 10-day IL. All the moves were backdated to March 24. Despite tearing both of his ACLs now, RotoBaller has Acuna ranked as the No. 16 fantasy outfielder in 2025. The 27-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star is expected to make his season debut at some point in May, barring a setback once he resumes playing in games. Strider, meanwhile, is recovering from internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but he's further along and is expected to make his 2025 debut in April. He was able to make two Grapefruit League starts.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) is looking to throw 45-50 pitches in his second Grapefruit League start on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Because Strider was able to get up three times in his spring debut on Monday, he could pitch into the fourth inning this weekend. The 26-year-old could leave spring training needing only two to three more tune-up outings before making his 2025 debut. Atlanta will be very cautious with their ace, but Strider's progress so far in camp has been a best-case scenario. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up after having an internal-brace procedure in mid-April of 2024, Strider should be back no later than late-April. Because of his great progress this spring, Strider's ADP continues to rise, and he's now ranked as the No. 15 fantasy starting pitcher at RotoBaller.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) made his long-awaited spring debut on Monday, tossing 2 2/3 perfect innings while striking out six. Although the competition he faced wasn't the toughest, it was encouraging to see his pitches at work following the injury. His fastball topped out at 98 mph and his breaking balls looked as dominant as ever. He only made it two starts into 2024 before requiring a season-ending internal brace procedure on his UCL. In 2023, he posed a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out a whopping 281 batters in 186 2/3 innings. His 3.09 xERA and .205 xBA also both ranked in the top-10 percent of the league. Strider could very easily be one of the best pitchers in the sport once again in 2025, which would make him one of the best values on draft day. Expect his ADP to continue to rise as he makes more spring appearances.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday and start against the Boston Red Sox. It's a positive step in the right direction for Strider, who made only two starts in 2024 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old hurler will open the 2025 regular season on the injured list as he puts the finishing touches on his rehab, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could make his season debut for Atlanta by the end of April. Strider was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and was one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, a league-best 281 strikeouts and 58 walks in 186 2/3 innings over 32 starts. He also had over 200 strikeouts in 2022, but he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 38 starting pitcher this year because he could the entire first month and may not be as sharp upon his initial return.

It's reasonable to expect Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) to rejoin the starting rotation sometime in late April, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Strider, who won 20 games for Atlanta in 2023, underwent an internal-brace surgery to fix his right UCL last April. He could throw in a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training and then is likely to start a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment when the regular season opens. The 26-year-old was fourth in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023, when he went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 186 2/3 innings. Strider's arrow is pointing up for sure, but fantasy managers will have to expect the Braves to slow-play the talented right-hander when he's back in the rotation after he made only two starts a year ago. But because of his upside, he's in play as a No. 3/4 fantasy starting pitcher in upcoming drafts.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) looked good during his live batting practice session on Friday and could be getting close to appearing in a Grapefruit League game this spring. MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that it looks like Strider could rejoin the team's starting rotation by the end of April, a little more than a year after he had the UCL in his right elbow fixed via an internal-brace procedure. Strider will throw at least on more batting practice session before possibly being cleared for a spring training game. The 26-year-old hasn't had any physical setbacks in his recovery from elbow surgery. It's a great sign for a pitcher that led the majors in strikeouts (483) from the start of the 2022 season through 2023. While fantasy managers should still temper expectations for Strider after made only two starts in 2024, his good progress certainly makes him more attractive as a low-end No.3 /high-end No. 4 fantasy starter.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) completed a 30-pitch bullpen session on Friday. The right-hander used all of his pitches in this session. During the two simulated innings, Strider tallied two strikeouts. Even though the 26-year-old will begin the 2025 season on the injured list, he will likely not be sidelined for an extended period of time. Strider saw his 2024 season cut short after he underwent an internal brace procedure. He made just two starts before undergoing the operation. In 2023, Strider tallied an impressive 281 strikeouts (most in the National League) with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 186 2/3 innings of work. During this season, he generated a stellar 3.09 xERA with a .273 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be one of the most valuable pitchers in fantasy once he returns to the bump.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) threw a curveball during his recent side session. This was the first time the right-hander mixed in the curveball during a session. Strider began using this pitch in the 2024 season before being shut down after undergoing UCL surgery. However, his new pitch was not the reason he needed to undergo surgery. Before being shut down last summer, the 26-year-old posted a 7.00 ERA with a 1.67 WHIP across nine innings. During the 2023 campaign, Strider held a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 186 2/3 innings. He tallied an impressive 281 punchouts (most in the NL) and served up 58 free passes. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp, as he could return to action early in the 2025 season. Seeing him begin to mix in different pitches is a great sign. When he does return, he should be viewed as a high-end option, especially when looking for strikeouts.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) won't be on the Opening Day roster, according to the team's general manager Alex Anthopoulos. As expected, Strider won't be ready for the beginning of the season as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. However, the Braves are hopeful that Strider can pitch in a game before the end of spring training. At the moment, Strider isn't expected to be back in the Braves rotation until around late April. Honestly, fantasy managers might be forced to wait until around May as the Braves aren't going to rush anything with their ace pitcher. Once healthy, Strider is one of the best in the league, so he's well worth holding on an IR spot in fantasy leagues until he's ready to go.