Strider could be activated this week: 'I feel good to go'
Spencer Strider is ready to be activated from the injured list but understands if the Atlanta Braves want to give him more time to build back up.
"I feel good to go, but admittedly, I haven't pitched in three weeks," Strider said, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. "So, I won't be shocked if they don't feel comfortable running me out there. I've made my availability known. Beyond that, it's up to them."
Strider threw a 40-pitch side session Saturday without any issues, but he's only made one start for the Braves this season after a year-long recovery from an internal brace procedure on his pitching elbow. The 26-year-old injured his hamstring playing catch five days after his return to the mound April 16.
The Braves are contemplating whether to activate Strider this week or have him make one rehab start, according to Bowman. His return would help a strained Atlanta pitching staff that hasn't had an off day since May 1 and won't have another until May 19.
The Braves' starting staff ranks 18th in FIP and 19th in ERA without Strider available. The 20-game winner struck out a league-leading 281 hitters in 2023.
Atlanta enters Monday two games below .500.