The Atlanta Braves are down in North Port, Florida, for Spring Training. Despite making the playoffs last season, they were quickly eliminated in the wild-card round.
They hope that isn't the case in 2025 and the foundation gets built now in Spring Training. The first contest happens on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. EST against the Minnesota Twins.
While fans will get to see their team take action for the first time this year, they got some great news regarding pitcher Spencer Strider.
Strider participated in a side-throwing session at CoolToday Park on Friday with batters standing in the box but not swinging.
#Braves’ Spencer Strider takes next step toward return, and franchise great Dale Murphy was impressed.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 22, 2025
“Obviously I haven’t been on a mound in pants and cleats and a jersey in a while…I just love being out here. So that’s always exciting.” — Strider https://t.co/NJ85u8yJBG
Braves News: Spencer Strider Impressed During Friday’s Throwing Session
Braves legend Dale Murphy was in attendance and liked what he saw from Strider. He said, "Looks like he’s in midseason form to me."
Strider was also excited to be on the field, getting live reps in. He stated, "Obviously I haven’t been on a mound in pants and cleats and a jersey in a while. Not to be cliche or cheesy or anything, but of course, you do miss the game and you miss doing what you do. And definitely, standing out there you get touched back with like, man, I just love being out here. So that’s always exciting."
His 2024 season was cut short after he had undergone UCL surgery on his right elbow. He had bone fragments that developed in his elbow and underwent a new procedure known as internal brace surgery.
The rehab is generally three-to-four months compared to 12-16 months of rehab it takes when you have Tommy John surgery. And that's something he had to undergo in 2019 while he was at the University of Clemson.
While Strider wasn't facing live batters, this was a great first step. Live batting practice is next on the slate, and although there's no timeline for that just yet, the 26-year-old is ready for that step whenever it comes and is happy with his recovery.
Strider said, "But once they’re swinging, I’m trying to get guys out. So it’s another element and environmental change that can help bring out some competitive adrenaline and get things moving well. But we’ve done such a good job of building a base, making sure mechanics are in a good spot. My stuff and command have come along better than I could have expected. So I feel good about introducing new elements of competitiveness that will bring out the velo and adrenaline and everything."
Getting the Ohio native back into the rotation sometime during the season will give the Braves a huge lift. In his career, Strider has gone 54-32 as a starter with a 3.47 ERA and 495 strikeouts.
His best season came in 2023, where he went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a league-high 281 strikeouts. The numbers helped him land on the All-Star team and get named an All-MLB First Team selection.
His return to the mound is getting closer, and Friday was a massive step forward.