Strider allowed two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings while striking out four in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Facing a lineup made up mainly of players competing for bench roles, Strider had no trouble sailing through his final spring tuneup. The right-hander posted a 21:4 K:BB through 16 Grapefruit League innings and appears more than ready to follow up his breakout 2022 campaign. Strider is expected to start the second game of the season, April 1 against the Nationals, which would also put him on track for Atlanta's home opener April 6 against the Padres.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Throws five innings in MiLB game
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Strider threw five-plus innings in Monday's minor-league game, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
There's no word on Strider's stats for that contest, but the important thing in exhibition season is that the right-hander is getting his work in. After a strong rookie campaign that saw him strike out 38.3 percent of the hitters he faced over 131.2 innings of work, Strider is being drafted as one of the top starting options in baseball, and his swing-and-miss arsenal makes that an easy decision to justify.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Fans five Blue Jays
Rotowire
Strider gave up a run on three hits over 3.1 innings while striking out five during Thursday's split-squad game against the Blue Jays.
The right-hander fired 42 of 57 pitches for strikes in his third appearance of the spring. Strider has a 9:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings in Grapefruit League action, and after a dazzling rookie campaign that saw him fan 202 batters in only 131.2 frames for a 38.3 percent strikeout rate, Atlanta is counting on the 24-year-old to emerge as a true ace in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Fans three in first spring start
Rotowire
Strider gave up three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings while striking out three in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
The right-hander has yet to allow a run through his first five spring innings, posting a 4:2 K:BB. Strider is coming off a dazzling rookie season that saw him top 200 strikeouts despite pitching only 131.2 innings for Atlanta, and the 24-year-old right-hander could emerge as a true ace in 2023 if his changeup joins his high-90s fastball and nasty slider as a plus offering.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Sharp to begin spring training
Rotowire
Strider retired all three batters he faced Wednesday while throwing his first simulated game of spring training, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
After an outstanding rookie season, Strider appears to be picking up right where he left off to kick off spring training, with Toscano noted that the right-hander's 15-pitch outing included strikeouts of Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies. Heading into his age-24 season, Strider will likely face a soft innings cap compared to some of the game's top-tier starters, but he proved as a rookie that he doesn't need big volume to turn in brilliant fantasy production. He was one of only 11 pitchers to finish with 200-plus strikeouts in 2022, despite covering 30 fewer innings than any of those other 10 hurlers.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Starting Game 3
Rotowire
Strider (oblique) will start Game 3 of the NLDS on Friday against the Phillies, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Strider will return to the mound for the first time since Sept. 18 following an oblique injury. It's unlikely that he'll see a full workload in the contest, but the right-hander is a welcome addition for Atlanta after having posted a 2.67 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with a 12.8 K/9 this season. As a result of Strider starting Game 3, Charlie Morton will now toe the rubber in Saturday's Game 4 matchup.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Makes NLDS roster
Rotowire
Strider (oblique) will be on Atlanta's NLDS roster.
Strider had an outstanding rookie season, posting a 2.67 ERA and 38.3 percent strikeout rate in 131.2 innings, but it was cut short in mid-September due to an oblique strain. While he will in fact be able to make it back for the postseason, it's unclear what sort of role he'll be able to play, as his experience as a reliever could lead Atlanta to deploy him that way if he isn't built up enough to start. Per Jeff Schultz of The Athletic, a Game 3 start for Strider is possible, though that could also go to Charlie Morton.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Checks out fine after side session
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Strider (oblique) looked good during a bullpen session Sunday, but the team is still in the process of determining the rookie right-hander's role for its National League Division Series with he Phillies, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
At the very least, Strider won't be available to start Games 1 and 2, as Atlanta plans on having Max Fried and Kyle Wright take the hill Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Charlie Morton will likely have the inside track in another spot in Atlanta's four-man rotation, but Strider could be in consideration to start Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Saturday if the team is comfortable with him from a health and workload standpoint. Even if Strider isn't quite built up enough to start after closing the regular season on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain, he should have a role out of the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever. After a brilliant first full season in the big leagues in which he went 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a whopping 202 strikeouts over 131.2 innings, the 23-year-old was rewarded Monday with a six-year, $75 million contract extension.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Inks long-term deal with Atlanta
Rotowire
Atlanta announced Monday that Strider (oblique) signed a six-year, $75 million contract extension that runs through the 2028 season. The contract includes a $22 million team option or a $5 million buyout for 2029.
Strider becomes the latest in a growing list of young, foundational pieces to come to terms with Atlanta on a long-term deal to buy out his arbitration years. Before a left oblique strain caused the 23-year-old to finish the regular season on the 15-day injured list, the rookie right-hander had arguably been Atlanta's top pitcher in 2022. After dazzling in relief to begin the season, Strider transitioned into the rotation in late May and finished with a 2.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 202:45 K:BB across 131.2 innings. Atlanta hopes to have Strider available for its upcoming National League Division Series with the Phillies that begins Tuesday, but he has yet to be formally activated.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Could return for NLDS
Rotowire
Atlanta is optimistic about Strider's (oblique) chances of being ready for the NLDS against Philadelphia, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Strider has been on the 15-day injured list since suffering a left oblique strain in late September, but he's been ramping up his throwing of late. Per O'Brien, the team will watch him throw more over the next 48 hours before making a final decision on his NLDS roster status.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Plays catch Tuesday
Rotowire
Strider (oblique) had no issues while throwing on flat ground Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The 23-year-old had been shut down from throwing due to the oblique strain since his last start Sept. 18, but he's now been cleared to start up a throwing program. Strider remains without an official return timeline, though he seems unlikely to make enough progress within the next week to be available for the start of the NLDS.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Not throwing
Rotowire
Strider (oblique) has not been cleared to resume throwing, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Strider won't be returning during the regular season, but Atlanta hopes to make another deep playoff run, so Strider's status remains relevant. He has not pitched since Sept. 18 due to an oblique strain.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Placed on IL
Rotowire
Strider was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain Saturday, retroactive to Sept. 21.
Strider dealt with an oblique issue following his most recent start, and he'll ultimately be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. The right-hander will be eligible to return for the start of the postseason, and he's expected to be ready for the team's first playoff series, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Bryce Elder is a strong candidate to remain in Atlanta's rotation, while Alan Rangel was recalled Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Oblique ailing, next start TBD
Rotowire
Strider is dealing with a sore right oblique and will be pushed back a few days in Atlanta's pitching schedule, meaning that he may not make a start this week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
He lined up to start Friday in Philadelphia, so if he is indeed pushed back "a few" days, he could pitch early next week in Washington. Bryce Elder, who is starting Wednesday against the Nationals, could stick around in the rotation if Strider needs to miss more than one turn.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Fans nine but takes loss
Rotowire
Strider (10-5) took the loss against San Francisco on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out nine batters over five innings.
Strider didn't have his best stuff in the outing, as he needed 102 pitches to make it through five shaky frames. The Giants racked up nine hits against him, but only one (a Thairo Estrada double) went for extra bases. That allowed Strider to keep the damage on the scoreboard to a minimum by going to his swing-and-miss stuff -- he finished four of his five frames with a strikeout, three of the swinging variety. Strider has struck out at least nine batters in four of his past five starts and ranks sixth in MLB with 192 punchouts on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Sets team record with 16 strikeouts
Rotowire
Strider (9-4) earned the win over Colorado on Thursday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out 16 batters over eight scoreless innings.
Strider overpowered the Rockies in his most impressive performance as a big leaguer, racking up 22 swinging strikes among his 106 pitches. The strikeout total established a new franchise record in a nine-inning game, surpassing the 15 K's recorded by John Smoltz in both 1992 and 2005 and Warren Spahn in 1960. Strider has posted five double-digit strikeout performances across 17 starts this season and ranks ninth in the league with 176 punchouts despite hurling only 114.2 innings. As icing on the cake, he appears to be getting stronger as the season winds down -- over his past four starts, the rookie right-hander has gone 3-0 while registering a 1.08 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB over 25 frames.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Sharp again Friday
Rotowire
Strider (8-4) earned the win Friday over the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman with seven strikeouts in six innings.
Strider threw 72 of 102 pitches for strikes in a sharp start. This was the fifth time in his last six outings he's limited opponents to one run. The right-hander trimmed his ERA to 2.87 with a 1.03 WHIP and 158:38 K:BB across 106.2 innings through 27 appearances (16 starts) this season. He'll look to keep this good stretch going in his next start, tentatively projected for next week at home versus Colorado.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Collects seventh win
Rotowire
Strider (7-4) picked up the win in Monday's 13-1 rout of the Mets, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.
The rookie failed to get out of the third inning in his last start, also against the Mets, but Strider was sharper this time around and benefitted from an offensive eruption by Atlanta. He's showing some signs of fatigue in his first full season in the majors, lasting longer than five innings only twice in his last six starts, but Strider still sports a 4.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB through 29 innings over that stretch. Given his dominance, expect Atlanta to continue finding ways to give him some extra rest down the stretch with an eye toward having him available for the playoffs, but a full shutdown seems unlikely -- the 23-year-old tossed 96.1 innings across all levels last season and only sits at 94.2 innings so far in 2022, so there should still be plenty of gas left in his tank.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: Not great versus Mets
Rotowire
Strider (6-4) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Mets.
It was announced Strider won't face an innings limit this season, his first as a big-league starter. What could see him lose his spot in the rotation is poor performance, as he's had a couple of poor outings in going 2-2 across his last four starts. In that span, he's allowed 11 runs across 19.1 frames, though he's also posted a 28:6 K:BB. After Sunday's dud, he owns a 3.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 138:34 K:BB through 89.2 innings in 24 appearances (13 starts). The 23-year-old right-hander will look to bounce back next weekend in a projected road start in Miami.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Spencer Strider: No innings limit
Rotowire
Strider does not have an innings cap this season, and Atlanta has no immediate plans to shift him back to the bullpen despite the addition of Jake Odorizzi at the trade deadline, Maria Torres and David O'Brien of The Athletic report.
Strider has been spectacular as a rookie this season, posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 96:21 K:BB through only 62.2 innings since moving into the rotation in late May. The 23-year-old righty tossed 96.1 innings across all levels in 2021 and is quickly approaching that figure this season, causing concerns about his workload, but as yet he isn't showing any signs of fatigue and Atlanta has no intention of removing him from the rotation until it seems necessary. Odorizzi does give the club some insurance in case Strider or another young pitcher falters down the stretch, but for now the veteran hurler will work as a sixth starter and swing man.
