Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings in the loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, his longest start since September of 2023. Strider had only four strikeouts, though, the first time he had fewer than six K's in nine career starts of seven frames or more. The 26-year-old's velocity isn't quite what it was before he had elbow surgery in April of last year, but he has improved his fastball velocity steadily while also improving his secondary pitches. He has a 2.25 ERA in his last four starts and an MLB-leading 33 K's in 24 innings during that span after having a 5.40 ERA in his first five starts in 2025. While Strider's 2025 season has been far from perfect, he could easily return to his pre-injury form in the second half and be a fantasy ace. Fantasy managers should lock him into their lineups for his next outing against the Baltimore Orioles.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (2-5) was strong on Thursday, allowing just one run over six innings in a 7-1 win over the New York Mets. Strider once again looked like his old self, striking out eight while allowing just five hits and one walk. This makes two solid outings in a row for the fireballer, who averaged 96 mph on his fastball, up 0.7 mph from his season average. He also induced 18 whiffs, including 14 on his slider. It appears to be a return to form for the 26-year-old, who now holds a 3.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 45 strikeouts across 37 IP. The buy-low window on Strider has officially closed, and he is once again a must-start pitcher. His next start should come next Wednesday against these same Mets, but in New York this time.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider had seemingly no problems on the mound during Saturday's start against the Colorado Rockies. Strider posted his best performance of the season, which conveniently came against the worst team in baseball. Strider tossed six innings, allowing three hits, one walk, and striking out 13 batters in the win. Honestly, Strider probably could've pitched deeper into this game, but the Braves didn't need him to do that. He'll look to keep the good times rolling in a favorable matchup against the Miami Marlins during his next start.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider took the loss in an 8-3 defeat to Arizona, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. This is the first time he's completed five full innings since returning from a hamstring strain on May 20, which sums up just how ineffective he's been. The 26-year-old's fastball averaged 95.2 mph and topped out at 96.5 mph, which is consistent with what it's been all season. That is nowhere close to the 97.2 mph average he posted in 2023, as the pitch went from being one of the hardest in the majors to close to league-average. It was expected that Strider would take some time to regain his velocity after receiving internal brace surgery, but he's going to need to figure out how to get outs with the decreased speed.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (hamstring) did not have his best stuff in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals. Strider, who was making his return from the 15-day injured list due to a right hamstring injury, pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with three strikeouts. He also hit two batters. The 26-year-old has only made two starts this season and has not been what fantasy managers were hoping for, going 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and eight strikeouts in 9 1/3 IP. While injuries are still a concern, fantasy managers should not put much stock in Strider's stat line, given his small sample size and the fact that he has not had the chance to really get into the swing of things. His next scheduled start will be a middling one against the Padres. While his results have been lacking, fantasy managers may find it difficult to sit him given his upside.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) has been activated from the injured list and is tentatively slated to start on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. Strider spent the 2024-2025 off-season recovering from his elbow injury and, after returning on April 16, strained his right hamstring while playing catch in preparation for his scheduled start against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 21. During his outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 16, he went five innings, allowed two earned runs, one walk, and five strikeouts in a no-decision against the Toronto Blue Jays. Strider may be on a pitch count on Tuesday, but fantasy managers who have been stashing him on the IL for most of the season should be ecstatic to plug him back into their lineups.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) will come off the 15-day injured list and start during next week's series against the division-rival Washington Nationals that starts next Monday. There was some concern that Strider's velocity was down in the low-90s during his simulated game on Wednesday, but the 26-year-old said he was more focused on throwing strikes and working on his secondary pitches, so it's really nothing to be concerned about. Strider will have a solid matchup for just his second start of the season against the Nats in D.C., but the Braves could choose to ease him back into the starting rotation since he didn't go on a minor-league rehab start. He threw 65 total pitches during his sim game on Wednesday. An All-Star in 2023, Strider should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider's (hamstring) fastball was at 93-94 mph during the latter stages of a 20-pitch second inning during his simulated game on Wednesday. It's not exactly promising, but fantasy managers also need to remember it's just a simulated game. The 26-year-old isn't going to return from the 15-day injured list this week, but he could still skip a minor-league rehab assignment and rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation next week for a series against the division-rival Washington Nationals. Strider got a late start to 2025 after recovering from an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April and then landed on the IL with his right-hamstring strain after just one start. When completely healthy, Strider showed us he has ace potential by winning 20 games and striking out a league-high 281 batters.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a 70-75-pitch simulated game on Wednesday. The right-hander will be re-evaluated after that and Atlanta will determine whether or not Strider is ready to return to the big-league rotation. If not, Strider will likely make one or two rehab starts before returning to the big-league mound. There is a chance that Strider is able to take the ball for Atlanta for their weekend series, but he'll likely have heavy restrictions. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Wednesday for another update on his status. After returning from an internal-brace procedure last April, the 26-year-old made just one start in April before going on the injured list with a hamstring strain. He should not be on any waiver wires.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the team will re-evaluate Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (hamstring) on Sunday to determine whether he will require another rehab start before activation. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the last three and a half weeks as he recovers from a hamstring strain. Strider got a late start this season while working back from an internal brace procedure on his elbow from last year. He made just one appearance at the big league level -- tossing five innings of two-run ball in a loss against the Blue Jays -- before finding himself back on the injured list. Fortunately, it sounds like he could be back with the team within the next two weeks. Fantasy managers should exhibit no caution when slotting him into their lineups upon his return.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) will throw another bullpen session on Saturday, and manager Brian Snitker said the team will then decide if Strider will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Strider received a platelet-rich plasma injection after suffering a right-hamstring strain on April 21, and it helped him speed up the process of feeling back to full strength. The 26-year-old threw his first bullpen on Wednesday. If he comes out of Saturday's session feeling good, it's possible he'll skip a rehab assignment and rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation next week. A 20-game winner in 2023, Strider made just two starts in 2024 before undergoing an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow that caused him to get a late start this season for Atlanta. When he's back in action in the big leagues, he'll be an immediate must-start in fantasy.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) threw a bullpen session before Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. This was Strider's first bullpen session since a strained right hamstring landed him on the 15-day injured list late last month after making his first start of the 2025 season. The 26-year-old didn't make his season debut until April 16 against the Toronto Blue Jays after finishing up his rehab for an internal-brace procedure he had on his right elbow last April. Hopefully, he'll be ready to return to Atlanta's starting rotation after one or two minor-league rehab starts. Barring a setback, there's no reason why Strider should be back by at least late May. If he can return to his pre-injury form, Strider has the potential to be a fantasy ace after striking out a league-high 281 hitters in 2023.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) progressed to throwing long toss over the weekend, which is another key step towards his return from the 15-day injured list. However, The Athletic's David O'Brien reports there's still no timetable for his return. Strider, who got a late start to the 2025 campaign after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, made it through one start before going back on the IL with a right-hamstring strain. It's been that kind of a season so far for the Braves. Since the 26-year-old has yet to throw off a mound, fantasy managers should probably expect his return to be a couple of weeks off. Strider will almost certainly need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Atlanta's starting rotation. Keep the former All-Star stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) has been playing catch but hasn't been cleared to throw off a mound, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. It has been two weeks since Strider threw off the mound, and fantasy managers need to expect the Braves to continue to be cautious with him. The 26-year-old got a late start to the 2025 season after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April. When he did finally return on April 16 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Strider allowed two earned runs while walking one and striking out five in five innings before being sidelined again with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain. He is going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment eventually, so in a best-case scenario, Strider won't rejoin Atlanta's rotation until later in May. Keep him stashed in all fantasy formats.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (hamstring) is expected to have his timeline determined in the coming weeks. The right-hander was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain last week and could be facing his second extended absence of the season. Strider opened the campaign on the injured list as he was recovering from an internal brace procedure. During his lone start this season, Strider tossed five innings of two-run ball against the Toronto Blue Jays. In this outing, the hard-throwing righty struck out five batters and served up one walk. Last season, Strider was only able to log nine innings before being shut down after undergoing the internal brace procedure. Despite his recent health concerns, when on the bump, Strider is an elite option in all fantasy formats and remains a must-stash option. While he is sidelined, AJ Smith-Shawver should see opportunities in the big leagues.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Mark Bowman of MLB.com noted that this is the "mildest" of strains, but will still take some time to heal. In addition, Bowman reported that Strider's timetable will likely be determined over the next few weeks. Strider made his season debut last Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays but was shortly placed on the injured list again, this time with a hamstring injury. Strider was only able to make two starts in 2024 before undergoing an internal brace procedure. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should expect the 25-year-old to miss at least the next two weeks. While he remains sidelined, AJ Smith-Shawver could be recalled from Triple-A to serve as a depth option in the rotation.

The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 18) with a right-hamstring strain and recalled right-hander Michael Peterson from the minors in a corresponding move. Strider injured his hamstring playing catch on Monday and will now have to miss the next two weeks. It's uncertain if the 26-year-old will be ready to rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation by the time he's eligible to come back on May 3, and it's also unclear who will take his place in the rotation for Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It's a big disappointment for a pitcher that got a late start to 2025 due to recovering from right-elbow surgery last April. Strider gave up two runs in five innings in a loss to the Blue Jays in his first start last week. Keep him stashed in all fantasy formats.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider took the mound in a big league game for the first time since last April. The right-hander looked solid as he struck out five batters, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings of work. Strider surprisingly came out for the sixth inning, but was quickly pulled from the contest after running into some trouble. Fantasy managers didn't get great results from Strider, but he might need a few starts to shake off some rust. His next start will come against the St. Louis Cardinals next week. Strider is a must-start going forward considering he's one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

The Atlanta Braves officially activated right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, and he will make his 2025 season debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the team optioned right-hander Zach Thompson to Triple-A Gwinnett. While Strider will be a bit more risky in DFS lineups in his season debut, fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately after how dominant he was during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab start and will make his return to Atlanta's starting rotation just over a year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. In his 13 2/3 innings at Gwinnett, Strider struck out 27, walked five and allowed just two runs. He proved in 2023 that he's a fantasy ace when he's healthy.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will throw a bullpen session in Tampa on Sunday and then travel with the team to Toronto for their series against the Blue Jays next week. The Athletic's David O'Brien says that it sounds like Spencer Schwellenbach will make his next start on Tuesday on regular rest, with Strider coming off the injured list to make his season debut on Wednesday. Nothing is official yet, but Strider is primed to return to Atlanta's starting rotation after giving up two earned runs on five hits while walking five and striking out 27 in 13 2/3 frames over his three minor-league rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old All-Star got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be fully stretched out for next week. He's coming off an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but Strider has the upside of a fantasy ace if he's right.