Braves’ Spencer Strider Shines in First Start Post-Surgery

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Braves’ Spencer Strider Shines in First Start Post-Surgery \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider made an impressive Grapefruit League debut, striking out six and allowing no base runners in 2 2/3 perfect innings against the Boston Red Sox. The 26-year-old ace, returning from Tommy John surgery, looked sharp as he worked his way back to full strength. After missing most of last season, Strider aims to regain his All-Star form from 2023, when he led the majors with 281 strikeouts.

Spencer Strider’s Strong Return: Quick Looks

Flawless Outing: Strider retired all eight batters he faced in his return.
Strikeout Machine: He fanned six Red Sox hitters in 2 2/3 innings.
Tommy John Comeback: This was his first appearance since elbow surgery last year.
Boston’s Only Contact: David Hamilton and Nick Sogard avoided strikeouts but failed to reach base.
Past Dominance: Strider led MLB with 281 strikeouts in 2023.
Career Stats: The 26-year-old owns a 32-10 record with a 3.47 ERA.
Big Contract: Braves locked him into a six-year, $75 million deal in 2022.
Looking Ahead: Strider is on track for a strong return to Atlanta’s rotation.

Deep Look

Braves’ Ace Strikes Out Six in First Game Since Tommy John Surgery

After nearly a year of recovery, Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider made his much-anticipated return to the mound, delivering a dominant performance in his Grapefruit League debut. The 26-year-old right-hander struck out six batters over 2 2/3 perfect innings, retiring all eight hitters he faced against the Boston Red Sox.

It was Strider’s first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, an injury that cut short his 2024 season after just two starts. His return marks a significant step forward for both the Braves and their rotation, as they look to make another deep postseason run.

Perfect Execution in First Start Since Surgery

Strider wasted no time getting back to his usual form.

In his 2 2/3 innings of work, the hard-throwing right-hander:

Struck out six of the eight batters he faced
Did not allow a single base runner
Showed elite velocity and command
Retired hitters in dominant fashion

The only two Red Sox players to avoid striking out were David Hamilton and Nick Sogard:

Hamilton grounded out to second base to start the game.
Sogard led off the third inning with a foul pop-up to third baseman Austin Riley.

Other than those two balls in play, it was a masterclass in pitching, with Strider’s fastball and sharp breaking pitches keeping Boston’s hitters completely off balance.

For Braves fans, it was a reassuring sight—a sign that Strider is ready to reclaim his spot as one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Bouncing Back from Injury: Strider’s Road to Recovery

Strider’s return to dominance comes after a difficult year in 2024, when he made just two starts before being shut down with elbow discomfort.

Final 2024 stats: 0-0 record, 7.00 ERA in two starts
Forced to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season
Spent months rehabbing before returning to game action

His injury was a major blow to the Braves’ rotation, given that he was coming off a historic 2023 season in which he led the major leagues in strikeouts.

The Braves remained optimistic about his long-term future, and Monday’s flawless return to the mound suggests their patience is about to pay off.

A Look Back: Strider’s Dominant 2023 Season

Before his injury, Spencer Strider was one of the most overpowering pitchers in baseball.

2023 Season Stats:

20-5 record
3.86 ERA over 186 2/3 innings
281 strikeouts (led all of MLB)
13.5 K/9 innings (best in the league)
First NL All-Star selection
Fourth place in Cy Young voting

Strider’s ability to generate swings and misses made him the most dominant strikeout pitcher in the game, and his return in 2025 is expected to strengthen an already formidable Braves rotation.

Career Snapshot: The Making of an Ace

Despite missing most of 2024, Strider’s career numbers remain elite:

32-10 career record
3.47 ERA
495 strikeouts in 329 2/3 innings
One of the highest strikeout rates in MLB history

His rise to stardom was so impressive that the Braves locked him up long-term, signing him to a six-year, $75 million contract in October 2022—despite him having made just 33 major league appearances at the time.

That contract now looks like a bargain, as Strider is expected to be a foundational piece of Atlanta’s rotation for years to come.

Braves’ Rotation Outlook: Where Does Strider Fit?

Strider’s return bolsters an already strong pitching staff, making the Braves a top contender in the National League.

Projected Braves Starting Rotation (2025)

Max Fried – The team’s ace lefty, looking to build on his success.
Spencer Strider – The strikeout king, now back from injury.
Charlie Morton – Veteran presence in the middle of the rotation.
Bryce Elder – Young right-hander with upside.
AJ Smith-Shawver – Rising prospect who could contribute.

With Strider healthy, the Braves have one of the most well-rounded rotations in baseball—mixing dominant power arms with veteran leadership.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Strider?

Strider will gradually increase his workload over the next few weeks as he builds up stamina for the regular season.

Spring Training Goal: Increase innings, maintain elite velocity and control
Opening Day Expectation: Be fully ready for a full season workload
Long-Term Outlook: Stay healthy, re-establish himself as MLB’s premier strikeout artist

His flawless Grapefruit League debut suggests that he’s on the right track, and if he can stay healthy, Strider could once again be a Cy Young contender in 2025.