The Braves will reinstate Spencer Strider from the 15-day injured list on Sunday, manager Walt Weiss told reporters before tonight’s walk-off win over Detroit (link via Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). He’ll make his season debut in the close of a weekend set at Coors Field.
Strider has missed the first month of the season after straining his oblique during Spring Training. He has taken the ball three times on a rehab stint, building to five innings and 82 pitches at Triple-A Gwinnett. Strider’s stuff has looked sharp, as he’s averaging 95.5 mph on his fastball and sitting at 84 with the slider. It’s not the upper-90s heat he brandished before undergoing elbow surgery in April 2024, but it’s a match for last year’s velocity.
Atlanta’s rotation has excelled despite the spring injuries to Strider, Hurston Waldrep, Spencer Schwellenbach and Joey Wentz — to say nothing of AJ Smith-Shawver’s 2025 UCL surgery. Bryce Elder has solidified his hold on a rotation spot. Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez have worked around middling strikeout and walk numbers to manage good results. The Braves have also gotten looks at rookies Didier Fuentes and JR Ritchie. They’re positioned well enough to push Reynaldo López to the bullpen for the time being.
Ritchie held a hot Nationals lineup to two runs over seven innings in his debut last week. He fought his command a bit tonight but managed 5 2/3 frames of three-run ball against Detroit. Weiss said postgame he expects Ritchie to take another turn through the rotation (relayed by Mark Bowman of MLB.com). That’ll come early next week at T-Mobile Park, a nice moment for the Seattle native.
That could allow the Braves to use Pérez out of the bullpen. Elder goes tomorrow afternoon as they try to sweep the Tigers. Although the Braves haven’t announced plans for the first two games of the Colorado series, they’d have Holmes and Chris Sale lined up on extra rest after Monday’s off day.
Strider is just one of a handful of key players nearing their returns from injury. Weiss said this evening that closer Raisel Iglesias is not expected to require a rehab assignment (via Bowman). He could return directly to the MLB bullpen when first eligible on Tuesday after a minor bout of shoulder inflammation. That’ll move Robert Suarez back into a setup role.
Sean Murphy has been on a rehab stint since April 14. Those can last up to 20 days for position players, so he’ll be back by Monday at the latest barring a setback. Ha-Seong Kim opened his own 20-day rehab window tonight with an appearance at Double-A Columbus. He played five innings at shortstop and collected a single in two at-bats.
Mauricio Dubón has done a nice job as a fill-in shortstop in Kim’s absence. Dubón has carved out a strong career as a utility player and should move back into a multi-position role in the middle of May. The Braves don’t tend to play matchups very often, yet they’ll presumably ease Kim back into action. Dubón could also take some work in left field, where Mike Yastrzemski is one of the few Atlanta players who hasn’t gotten out to a strong start.
I’d expect Dubon to take the place of Profar as Yaz’s platoon partner in LF vs. LHP at the very least. TBH, Riley may need a day off.
But seriously, Albies turns into Shohei vs. LHP. Tonight: Skubal.
Last night, when I was looking at the lineup and saw him batting third, took a second to remember exactly what you just said and look what happened.
Yeah, Weiss is acutely aware of the splits and will bat him 3-4 recently, and then shift to 5-6 vs. RHP. In that way, Weiss is totally different than Snit and I’m here for it.
Couldn’t agree more from what I’m reading. Anyone know how to pirate Braves Tv?
Wow, I’m sure it’s happened but it’s a bit rough to come off the IL and start at Coors Field.
The only problem is he could make another rehab start then face the Dodgers for his first one
Starting Kim is a mistake for this lineup. Unless Dubon is given full outfield reps where he’s not platooned.
It makes no sense to reduce his playing time because Kim returns.
It’s already a downgrade defensively to move him from SS as it is.
Respectfully Kim was a bit of a gamble contract that they overpaid for so it’s sad to see they’ll force it because of the money they gave out instead of recognizing what’s working and sticking with it
This might be different if Kim was someone with a stronger track record, but he’s not
I mean Dubon has not been very good since the second week of the season and his track record is less strong than Kim’s. Not sure how that’s a mistake lol. Dubon’s best role is playing about 50-60% of the time. LF against lefties and giving guys days off their feet every third righty or so. Adding good players to a lineup is never a bad thing lol.
On cue Dubon delivers a 2-out RBI
Lol at Dubon hasn’t been good since the second week of the season…. Which is what, another 2 weeks? There are some ebbs and flows to player production bro.
Dubon’s production has plummeted the last couple weeks–.506 OPS. He’s a good utility player but Kim should be the every day SS. Dubon should definitely play LF vs lefties and fill in elsewhere as needed.
Again you’re just cherry picking. Everyone will have ebbs and flows. 2 weeks is nothing
I admit if this continues well into May then yes it’s time to move on. For now? He’s earned the right to start almost all of May imo
Going back through the Phillies series and 2 PAs today so far he’s now 5/18.
See it’s pretty easy to cherry pick. No need to hit the panic button he cooled off for like a 10 game stretch somewhere in there
You’re the one cherry picking. Kim was a 4 WAR player the last 2 full seasons he played when he was healthy. Dubon has exactly one season in his career over 2 WAR. Dubon is in 33rd percentile in xwOBA, 19th percentile in average exit velo, 14th percentile in hard hit rate, 13th percentile in chase rate. In other words, the analytics show that the early success Dubon is having is unsustainable. Why wait until his production falls off a cliff for several weeks before making a move? Let him platoon in left and give other guys a day’s rest from time to time when there’s a lefty on the mound.
Bryce Elder has stepped it up this season.
He’s throwing slider / four seamer primarily, working with Chris Sale has benefitted him substantially.
Added in the cutter, 93/94 with the four seamer, 89/90 with the cutter, 85/86 with the changeup and 83/84 with the slider.
Teams are stacking him with LHH and oddly he has developed his repertoire in a way that is more effective against LHH than it is against RHH.
It’s the sinker and the changeup that get him in trouble.
A team stacked with righty sluggers could give Elder fits.
The Cubs are a bad match up for Elder.
Choppers playing good baseball, Chris Sale first ballot Hall of Famer. Bryce Elder is a good pitcher, a solid 3.
The Ben sheets of Atlanta