The talk of the Atlanta Braves has been centered around getting Ronald Acuna Jr. back. That’s an important step in the right direction for a Braves team looking to win a World Series, but it’s also important to remember that the Braves could be getting back Spencer Strider sometime in the next week or two.
Strider has started to throw off the mound, but according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, his velocity remains a question mark after his first simulated game since his injury.
Despite the velocity being down, which is always concerning, Strider ultimately has to tell the organization how his body feels. If he is just slowing things down to try to get back on the mound, it’d make sense that his velocity is down.
“It’s going to take him repetitions and starts in order to build that velocity back,” Brian Snitker said. “I think that’s normal for anybody who has been off for the time he has.”
Repetition is important here, which is why the Braves could make him throw in a rehab assignment. However, according to Bowman, there’s a possibility that the Braves won’t do that, and he could even be activated as early as next week to start against the Washington Nationals in Washington.
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Strider has an electric fastball when he’s at his best, but he’s a very good arm for more reasons than just that.
He didn’t have a great first start of the year before suffering a hamstring injury, allowing a home run and two earned runs in five innings.
Still, for the most part, he’s been a very consistent starter throughout his career, posting a 3.47 ERA.
