The Atlanta Braves are set to begin a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Atlanta is the first team in MLB this season to reach 20 wins, and should be considered the favorites to win the NL East.
A large part of Atlanta’s success has been due to the stellar starting rotation. Guys like Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder have really stepped up as Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach work their way back from injury. Speaking of Spencer Strider, he looks to be very close to rejoining the starting rotation after hampering his oblique before the season. On Tuesday, the Braves got a new update regarding Strider.
GettySpencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves delivers during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on August 25, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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Spencer Strider Won’t Rejoin Rotation This Weekend
The Atlanta Braves, after their series with the Tigers, will head out west to take on the Colorado Rockies. After another stellar start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, it was plausible to think Strider may return this weekend, but per Braves reporter Lindsay Crosby, that won’t happen.
CBSSports aggregated the recent news and wrote (on April 28):
“Strider (oblique) isn’t expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut this weekend in Colorado and is poised to instead continue his minor-league rehab assignment, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.”
With the Braves performing so well, Atlanta likely wants to save Strider for a home game, so fans can see his season debut firsthand. And the piggyback off that is the Braves probably don’t want him making his season debut at Coors Field in Colorado. He could also rejoin the team when the Braves take on the Dodgers, but that would be on the road.
He recently threw 82 pitches for Triple-A Gwinnett over five strong innings with seven strikeouts in his third rehab start.
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What Will Spencer Strider’s Return Mean for Braves?
Given that Spencer Strider is an established starter in Major League Baseball, Atlanta will have a decision to make upon his return with who will get pushed out of the rotation fold..
Per the Braves’ current depth chart, it figures to be either Martin Perez, JR Ritchie, or Jose Suarez who will swap places with Spencer Strider.
With his velocity creeping back up more and more, this is a huge prove-it year for the 27-year-old right-hander.
Over 125.1 innings last season, Strider posted a 4.45 ERA. He was one year removed from UCL surgery, so it made sense his production dipped, but with the loss in velocity, it forced Strider to nibble around the plate more, and lead to more walks (51 in 125+ innings).
For context, Strider’s phenomenal campaign in 2024 featured 58 walks in 180+ innings.
If Strider isn’t productive at the MLB level this go around, there may not be a spot for him in the rotation.
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Braves Get New Spencer Strider News Before Tigers Series