Nearly every Atlanta Braves player has arrived in North Port, Florida as they all look to gear up for another marathon season. This time of year can also feel a bit sluggish as many fans are counting down the days until Opening Day. However, one thing is for sure...we are all really excited baseball is back.
Some Braves players will have more eyes on them than others this spring, and one of those is 25 year-old Jarred Kelenic. The Wisconsin native enters this season with a ton of pressure on him to prove he's more than a fourth outfielder on a big league roster. Yesterday we learned about some unknown injuries that may have held him back in 2024.
Kelenic battled several injuries last season, but none lingered into this spring
Justin Toscano of the AJC reported yesterday that Kelenic battled through foot, oblique, and wrist pain last season at various points. However, none were determined to be serious enough for an IL stint.
Regardless, Kelenic is amped up to prove he's worth the investment the Braves made last offseason. He even got in some extra work this winter with newly hired hitting coach Tim Hyers and assistant hitting coach Hugh Quattlebaum when they both traveled to Wisconsin to work with Kelenic. Quattlebaum previously worked with Kelenic when he was a top prospect in the Mariners minor league system.
Braves bring in RHP Buck Farmer as yet another non-roster invite
News spread yesterday about one of the more intriguing non-roster invites Atlanta has brought in this spring in the form of right-handed reliever Buck Farmer. The former Cincinnati Red had an under the radar 2024 season, posting a 3.04 ERA and 4.00 FIP in 71 innings last year.
RH Buck Farmer joins an ever-expanding #Braves NRI list. The 33-yo Atlanta-area native (Conyers) and former Georgia Tech standout was a 1.7 WAR reliever last season with Cincy, posting a 3.04 ERA in 61 appearances with 70 Ks, 29 BB and 7 HR in 71 IP. Had 44 Ks in 157 ABs by RHBs.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 16, 2025
Farmer is an Atlanta native and 11 year veteran at the MLB level. Last year he leaned on a plus slider that produced a positive 4 Run Value, 37.6 whiff%, and .154 xBA. He was particularly effective versus right-handed hitters last year, holding them to a 1.00 WHIP when he was on the mound. He'll join the massive list of NRI guys hoping to grab one of the vacant bullpen spots.
Strider not given a set return date, but is gaining momentum
As of now the story remains that Braves flamethrowing ace Spencer Strider will not be on the Opening Day roster as he works his way back from elbow surgery. Atlanta has gone against putting specific dates on either Strider or Acuna Jr. and instead given them both tasks to accomplish before moving onto the next step in the rehab process.
Anthopoulos has hope that Strider can pitch in at least one competitive game before the Braves finish up Grapefruit League play. Because there hasn't been any setbacks, Strider remains hopeful he can get back on the mound in the very near future.