The Atlanta Braves are nearing Spencer Strider's return, with the starter working his second bullpen this week and continuing to stretch out. He's been battling through an oblique strain, which has forced him to miss the start of the 2026 campaign.
For the time being, there is a clear spot for Strider to step into with Martin Perez and Jose Suarez working to fill the fifth spot in Atlanta's rotation. However, there is far more pressure on Strider to return to form and offer consistent innings, or the Braves could be forced to make a very difficult decision.
As things currently stand, Bryce Elder, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Grant Holmes are all cemented into starting roles, giving Braves manager Walt Weiss zero reason to consider making a change. This is before Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep have returned from their respective injuries.
Add in the fact that Didier Fuentes is currently stretching out in the minor leagues, and the Braves have the makings of the league's deepest rotation with a wealth of starting options, making it hard to figure out where Strider fits in.
Spencer Strider Must Hit the Ground Running
Strider is coming off a season in which his velocity was notably down, leading to an abysmal 7-14 record and 4.45 ERA across 23 starts (125 1/3 innings). He's now only pitched 25 games since finishing fourth in the 2023 National League Cy Young race, meaning it's been almost three years since Braves fans saw the 27-year-old pitch like an ace.
The Braves already have two starters expected to return in May that have an argument as some top-of-the-rotation options in Schwellenbach and Waldrep. If last season's version of Strider were to return to the rotation, it is fair to wonder how much patience the Braves would have before pulling the plug.
Last season was an entirely different situation as Atlanta was scrambling for any healthy arm capable of eating innings.
The same margin for error isn't there, especially with the Braves owning an NL East-best 8-5 record as of Thursday afternoon. It should be noted that both Lopez and Holmes have extensive experience as bullpen arms, but neither starter has given the Atlanta coaching staff any reason to consider the change.
With this in mind, it is Strider who must prove his worth and show the Braves he deserves a spot in the rotation. As odd a mindset as this might be for a player that appeared to be one of the best pitchers in baseball two seasons ago, it is the reality of where the Braves now find themselves because of incredible rotation depth.
Strider can easily wipe away this concern if he turns back the clock and produces at the level fans were expecting a season ago. However, if his career keeps trending in the wrong direction, Braves fans shouldn't be shocked if he's booted from the starting rotation.