One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the Atlanta Braves right now is what to expect from Spencer Strider. With Reynaldo Lopez's concerning performance against the Nationals and other arms on the shelf, the Braves could certainly use Strider's presence. However, he is still working his way back into form after an oblique injury this spring in addition to his long road to full recovery from elbow surgery.
The results were looking really promising in camp, but needing to sit out for weeks after his injury raised considerable questions about what version of Strider the Braves would eventually get. When he is right, there are very few pitchers in MLB that can match Strider. However, his return from injury last year wasn't particularly overwhelming, and the stuff he possessed in camp was distinctly different from what fans were accustomed to seeing, although that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Well, Strider is thankfully getting closer to his return. In fact, his dominance in his last rehab start saw Strider help Triple-A Gwinnett make some pretty improbable history.
ICYMI: pic.twitter.com/NyT6KVCy9h
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 22, 2026
Spencer Strider was absolutely dealing in his latest rehab start, helping Gwinnett still win somehow despite getting no-hit
No, you read that correctly. In a game where the Stripers recorded zero hits, they still managed to win by the final score of 2-0. While Braxton Garrett was incredibly stingy, a wild pitch and a sac fly were enough offense to secure the win. Minor league baseball is so delightfully weird sometimes.
The real story for most Braves fans is Strider, and he looked great. Despite only throwing 65 pitches because he is still building up, Strider struck out eight batters in addition to all the zeroes he and the rest of the Gwinnett pitching staff put up. This wasn't just an MLB pitcher vs. minor leaguers situation, either, as his stuff was passing the eye test as well as the metrics tests.
Strider's IVB (late life or whatever you want to call it) was 18 degrees. That's in line with where it was before the 2024 elbow surgery. Jacksonville also whiffed with 10 of 15 swings against Strider's slider https://t.co/H7NdeVuQ5V
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 21, 2026
Assuming Strider makes it to 80 pitches in his next rehab start without difficulty, it will be officially Strider Watch season. The Braves could opt to give him one more rehab start after that, or just ease him back in slowly in the majors. Whatever the case may be, we are getting closer to Strider's return, and based on how he is pitching, that is very good news.