Braves' Strider Impresses in Rehab Start, Nears Return

Right-hander Spencer Strider takes another step towards rejoining Atlanta's rotation with a strong outing in the minors.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:36am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic motion and power of the pitcher's movements.Strider's rehab start showcases his potential to reclaim his dominant form for the Braves' pitching rotation.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider delivered an encouraging performance in his latest minor league rehab start, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings while showing solid command and velocity. Though he faded late, the outing marked another positive step in Strider's recovery and his eventual return to the Braves' rotation.

Why it matters

The Braves have been eagerly awaiting Strider's return, as the hard-throwing right-hander was one of the team's most dominant pitchers before suffering an injury. His successful rehab outing suggests he is nearing a full recovery and could soon provide a major boost to Atlanta's pitching staff as they aim to defend their NL East title.

The details

Strider pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three. He threw 50 pitches, 27 of them for strikes, showcasing solid command and control. Early on, Strider looked sharp, with his fastball sitting between 95-97 mph. However, he did show some natural fatigue as the outing progressed, leading the Braves to pull him after 3 1/3 innings as part of a measured approach to his workload.

  • Strider's rehab start took place on April 16, 2026.

The players

Spencer Strider

A right-handed starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who has been sidelined with an injury but is nearing a return to the major league roster.

Atlanta Braves

The professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia that plays in the National League East division of Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

The Braves will continue to monitor Strider's progress and workload as he works his way back to the major league roster. If he continues to show improvement, he could rejoin the team's rotation in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Strider's strong rehab outing is an encouraging sign for the Braves, who are eager to get their ace back on the mound as they aim to defend their division title. While he showed some late fatigue, the overall performance suggests Strider is nearing a full recovery and could soon provide a major boost to Atlanta's pitching staff.