Spencer Strider DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.