Just when it seemed the start to the Atlanta Braves' 2026 season couldn't get any worse, news broke that Spencer Strider will miss the start of the season. The starter is dealing with an oblique strain and will be on the shelf for an unknown amount of time as Atlanta's pitching staff hits desperation time. With Strider now out, the Braves are missing three of their five projected starters.
It simply cannot get any more dire with the franchise losing its starting shortstop and left fielder ahead of the regular season as well. All of this serves as a reminder of a franchise that made the poor decision to let rotation stability walk away, which the franchise currently so badly needs.
Allowing Max Fried to walk away from the franchise at the end of the 2024 season is a mistake the rotation is still working to recover from. Not once since Fried's departure has the group felt stable or have the Braves had the needed presence at the top of the rotation that the left-hander provided.
Not only this, but Atlanta allowed Fried to walk away for only $218 million to the New York Yankees. This is a total that Fried had more than earned, delivering in a World Series run and proving himself capable of pitching on the biggest stage. Still, the Braves refused to pay what was deserved, and this is a mistake the franchise continues to pay for.
Spencer Strider's Latest Setback Reminds Braves of Clear Max Fried Mistake
Fried had an incredible 2025 season, further amplifying Atlanta's mistake, recording 19 wins and offering a 2.86 ERA. The starter was a force in the New York rotation, while the Braves couldn't rely on a single starter to stay healthy and consistent a season ago. Fast forward to today, as we close in on 2026 Opening Day, and the story is the same with Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep all missing time.
For Strider, this isn't anything new, with the last two years being defined by regression and injury concerns. It was supposed to be the right-hander that stepped into the gap and helped the Braves survive the loss of Fried. Instead, the pitcher consistently serves as a reminder that Atlanta chose to bet on the wrong player and should've been willing to pay Fried what it took to secure his return.
Now, the franchise is reduced to hoping a strong lineup will be enough to carry the team during the early weeks of the season. There isn't the rotational depth or talent to lean on, leaving all the Braves' hopes of contention on the shoulders of the top of the rotation and a lineup that will be asked to do all of the heavy lifting.