Braves Need Spencer Strider to Regain Top Form Amid Rotation Injuries

Atlanta's pitching staff faces early-season challenges, putting pressure on Strider to bounce back in 2026.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 2:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Atlanta Braves are entering the 2026 MLB season hoping to return to the playoffs, but their rotation is already being tested with injuries. Amid these challenges, the team will need pitcher Spencer Strider to recapture the dominant form he displayed in 2022-2023, rather than the inconsistent performance he showed in 2025 after returning from injury.

Why it matters

Strider has been one of the Braves' best pitchers when healthy, but his struggles in 2025 following an injury-shortened 2024 season have raised concerns about the stability of Atlanta's rotation. With key injuries already impacting the staff, the Braves will rely heavily on Strider to anchor the rotation and help the team contend for a postseason berth.

The details

After posting a 2.67 ERA in 2022 and a 3.86 ERA in 2023, Strider missed most of the 2024 season due to injury. When he returned in 2025, his performance declined, as he recorded a 4.45 ERA over 23 starts. The Braves need the 2022-2023 version of Strider, who struck out 37.4% of batters faced, rather than the 2025 version with a 24.3% strikeout rate.

  • Strider missed the entire 2024 MLB season after just two starts.
  • In 2025, Strider returned from injury and posted a 4.45 ERA over 23 starts.

The players

Spencer Strider

A key member of the Atlanta Braves' pitching rotation who has shown dominant stuff when healthy, but struggled with inconsistency and injuries in recent seasons.

Chris Sale

The staff ace for the Atlanta Braves, who the team will rely on heavily to anchor the rotation in 2026.

Reynaldo Lopez

A Braves pitcher who has had both highs and lows, and the team will need to step up as a core part of the 2026 rotation.

Grant Holmes

Another Braves pitcher who has shown promise but inconsistency, and will be counted on to contribute to the 2026 rotation.

Bryce Elder

A Braves pitcher who has had mixed results, and the team will need to provide stability to the 2026 rotation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Can he (Strider) get back to the guy who struck out 37.4 percent of the batters he faced from 2022-23? Or will he be more like he was when he returned in 2025 and recorded a 24.3 percent strikeout rate and a 4.45 ERA over 23 starts?”

— Mark Bowman, MLB.com writer

What’s next

The Braves will closely monitor Strider's progress throughout spring training and the early part of the 2026 season, hoping he can regain the dominant form he displayed in 2022-2023.

The takeaway

With key injuries already impacting the Braves' rotation, the team's success in 2026 will hinge heavily on Spencer Strider's ability to bounce back and recapture the elite-level performance he showed prior to his 2024 injury. If Strider can't return to that form, Atlanta's postseason hopes may be in jeopardy.