Owners of the best record in baseball, the Atlanta Braves have every reason to feel confident as the calendar approaches May. Their offense has surged back to form, while the pitching staff has performed above expectations. At this point in the season, fans might typically brace for regression, but the Braves instead appear poised to receive additional positive developments in the coming week.
Spencer Strider made his third rehab start Sunday afternoon and delivered an encouraging performance, recording seven strikeouts over five innings. The 27-year-old right-hander threw 82 pitches, a clear indication that he is nearing a return to Major League action. Atlanta beat writer Mark Bowman echoed that sentiment, suggesting Strider could be activated at some point this week.
Spencer Strider's latest rehab start was just peachy 🍑
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 26, 2026
Wearing specialty jerseys to celebrate the state's moniker, the @Braves righty sat 95.2 mph on his fastball and racked up 7 K's with 17 swings-and-misses in 5 IP. pic.twitter.com/wozDpg1pAQ
Spencer Strider rumored to be nearing his return to give the Braves a timely boost
Excitement surrounding Strider’s return only intensified when the Clemson product flashed a fastball reminiscent of his peak form. With his velocity ticking up—averaging 95.2 mph on Sunday—and induced vertical break (IVB) metrics comparable to his 2023 levels, fans have begun to envision a top-of-the-rotation pairing featuring Chris Sale alongside a fully restored Spencer Strider.
That optimism is heightened by the current uncertainty surrounding Reynaldo López. Strider’s return would not necessarily push López out of the rotation, but it would provide Atlanta with valuable flexibility. It could create a runway for JR Ritchie, Didier Fuentes, and López to compete over the course of the summer for the final spot in the rotation, behind a projected group of Chris Sale, Strider, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder.
Bowman noted that Strider could be in line to return during the team’s upcoming trip to Colorado from May 1–3. Manager Walt Weiss acknowledged that Strider’s pitch count suggests he is nearing a return, but emphasized that the timeline will ultimately depend on how his body responds in the days following Sunday’s increased workload.
All signs point to Strider being on the verge of a return, and his reentry could provide a significant boost to an already surging Braves club. If his rehab performances are any indication, Atlanta may soon welcome back one of the game’s most electric arms at full strength. Coupled with an offense finding its rhythm and a pitching staff exceeding expectations, the Braves appear well-positioned not just to sustain their early success, but to build on it as the season progresses.
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