When word got out that Spencer Strider was going to be activated for the Atlanta Braves' series against the Nationals in DC, fans were understandably excited. Rehabbing from elbow surgery combined with a hamstring injury has limited Strider to just one start this season and the Braves faithful are eager to put all this injury nonsense behind them. Now, after the Braves' roster move, we know who's spot Strider is taking as well as when he will get activated.
The Braves have an off day on Monday which usually means that the team will wait to make any roster moves to the day of the game to keep the opposing team on their toes. However, Atlanta decided against any misdirection here as they not only revealed that Dylan Dodd was optioned back to Triple-A after Sunday's game, but also that Strider is expected to activated on Tuesday.
**UPDATE**
To the minute, the Braves revealed exactly as this article posted that Strider has been activated from the injured list. Our long nightmare is (hopefully) over.
The #Braves today reinstated RHP Spencer Strider from the injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 19, 2025
Braves option Dylan Dodd to minors as Spencer Strider's return looms
Dodd was the obvious roster move to make for Strider as he was only just called up for the Red Sox series and has clearly fallen out of favor with the Braves' brass. It would have been nice to get into a game over the weekend, but he gets optioned back to Gwinnett instead to continue to build on his recent success out of the Triple-A bullpen.
As for Strider, he gets a relatively cozy matchup for his first game back against the Nationals. Atlanta put four runs up on their expected starter, Mitchell Parker, last week and the Nationals' offense isn't overly scared so long as you don't let CJ Abrams and James Wood beat you. Those are two tough lefties, though, so Strider is going to have to be on this game early.
With Strider's expected return for the series opener, the Braves are one step closer to be healthy again. Ronald Acuna Jr. could easily return for the home stand later in the weekend barring any setbacks. If that happens, we'll finally see what this Braves team is capable of once they are firing on all cylinders.