TORONTO — Again like he by no means left.
Spencer Strider hadn’t toed a Main League mound in 376 days, his 2024 season ending after simply two begins as a consequence of elbow surgical procedure. As Strider completed rehab and a return drew close to, anticipation constructed. Transient spring outings drew eyes and gaudy strikeout totals in Minor League video games bred chatter.
Lastly, with a yr away and a repaired ligament, Strider delivered on the hype — and in addition his five hundredth profession Ok — in his 2025 season debut. The righty labored by way of the Blue Jays’ lineup, permitting two runs in five-plus innings in a 3-1 loss to Toronto at Rogers Centre on Wednesday.
“He is come a protracted approach to get to the purpose the place he is on the Main League mound once more,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated.
Along with his first pitch, Strider loudly introduced his arrival. A 96.7 mph fastball on the within nook of the plate whizzed by Bo Bichette’s outstretched barrel to kickstart the righty’s season debut. Two pitches later, Strider had his first strikeout of the season on a tough slider away.
The righty used that very same slider to ship Addison Barger strolling again to the dugout within the fifth inning, incomes Strider his five hundredth profession strikeout. Reaching the milestone in simply 334 innings pitched, Strider grew to become the quickest pitcher (with at the least 50 p.c of his appearances coming as begins) to achieve the 500-Ok mark.
The identical fastball/slider mixture that earned Strider 281 strikeouts, Cy Younger votes, and a league-leading 20 wins again in 2023 returned on Wednesday. Whereas Strider’s common velocity on the heater (95.4) and breaking pitch (84.1) sat about 1.5 mph decrease than his pre-surgery marks, the combo nonetheless earned 14 referred to as strikes and 13 whiffs as he builds again up.
Strider’s lone missteps got here towards Guerrero Jr., when the recently-extended first baseman slapped an RBI single within the third body and launched a solo shot within the sixth to double Toronto’s lead. Whereas Strider’s solely misplaced battles got here towards Toronto’s $500-million man, the righty was dissatisfied together with his outing. Regardless of the numerous whiffs and 5 strikeouts, Strider felt he didn’t execute with two strikes sufficient. Most significantly, he didn’t go away in line for a win.
“My job is not to return again and have a second and all that,” Strider stated. “That is not how I have a look at it. I am right here to assist the group.”
The Braves righty ended his day after five-plus innings and 97 pitches, constructing off the 90 choices he threw in his ultimate rehab outing. The Braves had been cautious with Strider’s return, permitting him simply two quick outings in Spring Coaching earlier than three rehab outings with Triple-A Gwinnett. With 13 strikeouts in simply 5 1/3 innings in his final rehab outing, it was clear the 2023 All Star was prepared for the true factor. On Wednesday, he reaffirmed it.
“He’ll get stronger as he goes,” Snitker stated. “So long as he feels good. I imply, there is not any extra decided man or devoted individual than him on this planet.”
When he is wholesome, Strider is among the recreation’s most formidable pitchers. He owns a profession 2.55 FIP and has gained 32 of his 43 profession selections. The starter took the loss in his 2025 debut, because the Braves’ solely offensive push got here by way of Drake Baldwin’s ninth-inning homer, his first in MLB. It wasn’t sufficient assist to get Strider the win, however these will come.
Strider now slides into Atlanta’s rotation alongside Spencer Schwellenbach and Chris Sale, forming a trio of aces. With the Braves’ Wednesday loss pushing the group to 5-13, Atlanta will lean on that rotation upside to claw again to .500. If Strider builds on his season debut, Atlanta can set sights larger than that, too.
