The Atlanta Braves have had an unforgettable start to the 2025 regular season, as they’ve only won one series, which was this past week against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Braves have a record of 4-10.
That win-loss record can be attributed to poor play on the mound and at the plate, injuries, and a suspension. If there’s a silver lining to the Braves’ rough start, it's that they are slowly starting to get healthy.
Veteran catcher Sean Murphy returned this past week from an IL stint from a fractured rib, while ace Spencer Strider is on the verge of making his 2025 debut. Strider has missed most of the 2024 season and the beginning of this season because of elbow surgery.
However, the star-studded pitcher has made three rehab starts at Triple-A Gwinnett and put on a show on Thursday, striking out 13 batters while only allowing one earned run, three walks, and two walks across 5 ⅓ innings.
Based on his performance against Triple-A Norfolk, it appears Strider might be ready to make his long-awaited debut this coming week.
According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Grant Holmes and Spencer Schwellenback will start the Braves’ first two games against the Toronto Blue Jays. Toscano adds that Strider was with the team in Tampa Bay and was scheduled to throw his side today.
Grant Holmes will start Monday in Toronto. Spencer Schwellenbach will start on Tuesday. The Braves listed a TBA for Wednesday. There was a new jersey in the clubhouse today: 99.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) April 13, 2025
Spencer Strider is here in Tampa and was scheduled to throw his side today. Is Wednesday the return?
And not to mention, Atlanta listed TBA for Wednesday’s matchup, which opens the door for a potential Strider return.
The Braves could use Strider right now, as Chris Sale hasn’t looked like the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. When healthy, the right-handed starting pitcher is one of the best in the game and gives the Braves one of the best 1-2 combos in the league.
Nonetheless, if the 26-year-old pitcher can come close to his 2023 form, where he went 20-5 and had an ERA of 3.86 in 32 starts, the Braves can slowly start to make a move up the standings.