By now, the concern level within the Atlanta Braves starting staff is at an all-time high, and with a few starters sidelined due to injuries, basically 3/5ths of the rotation is filled with minor league arms, which isn’t a slight to those starters, but Atlanta has become desperate to receive quality innings from names like Hurston Waldrep, JR Ritchie, and others.
It’s mostly due to Spencer Strider and Martin Perez’s injuries. Speaking of Spencer Strider, he is likely sidelined until the end of August (at the earliest), and Strider is still owed a ton of money for this season and the ones following.
More MLB on Heavy: Chicago Cubs Quietly Re-Sign World Series Champion During Orioles Series
Braves’ Spencer Strider Still Owed a Ton of $$
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 26: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves walks off of the field after the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves inked Spencer Strider to a six-year, $75 million contract before the 2023 season.
Spotrac.com wrote (about the deal): “Spencer Strider signed a 6 year, $75,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $75,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,500,000. In 2026, Strider will earn a base salary of $20,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $20,000,000.”
Per his Spotrac page, Spencer Strider’s annual payroll implications are $22 million per season over the next three years (with a 2029 club option). At this rage, it looks very unlikely that the Braves will pick up that $22 million option. As of now, if the math is mathing, Atlanta still owes Spencer Strider around $45 million.
More MLB on Heavy: Atlanta Braves Recent Player Signed with New MLB Team
Spencer Strider with the Atlanta Braves
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 03: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on June 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
When Spencer Strider burst onto the MLB scene in 2022, he immediately became an Atlanta Braves fan favorite.
However, after a tough UCL reconstructive surgery in 2024, things have gone downhill for Strider, and it’s been much harder for the former All-Star starter to get outs.
Over 39 innings pitched this season, Strider has an ERA of 5.31 with 46 strikeouts. In 2024, over 23 starts, Strider posted an ERA of 4.45 with 131 strikeouts. The swing and piss stuff is still in his arsenal, but Strider misses over the heart of the plate too much, and often gives up a lot of hard contact.
Once he returns from the IL (for the second time this season), Strider will almost guaranteed get another shot in the rotation. However, what isn’t guaranteed is him finding his form from the 2022 and 2023 seasons, where he posted back-to-back campaigns with more than 200 strikeouts and 10+ pitcher wins.
More MLB on Heavy: MLB Announces Major Justin Verlander Decision Before All-Star Game
Injured Atlanta Braves Player Still Owed $22 Million Per Season