Braves’ Spencer Strider to begin rehab assignment soon, but there’s a catch

The Atlanta Braves are hoping to have starting pitcher Spencer Strider back as soon as possible. The hurler is dealing with oblique problems. Strider is getting an injury update.

“Strider will begin his rehab assignment on Thursday. He’ll throw 40-45 pitches. (Walt) Weiss said he doesn’t expect Strider back this month. This is longer than the “sooner than later” projections initially heard. But it’s smart to be cautious with the oblique injuries,” MLB.com reporter Mark Bowman posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Atlanta is looking forward to getting Strider back in the rotation.

“He’s on the right path,” team manager Walt Weiss said, per the Associated Press. “With starters, it takes time. We’ve got to build him back up now.”

The Braves are hoping to bounce back this year from a disappointing 2025 season. In 2026, Atlanta holds a 9-6 record. The club has a surprising lead in the National League East.

Braves are one of the National League’s biggest surprises this year

Atlanta has gotten off to a strong start behind a mix of solid pitching, as well as hitting. The Braves have won six of their last 10 games.

The club is winning, despite having injuries to the rotation. Strider threw three simulated innings recently to batters, to get his arm strength back up to speed.

Weiss said Strider was throwing heat, with his pitches clocking as high as 95 miles per hour.

“That’s no adrenaline, right?” Weiss said about that strong pitching. “I don’t think he had adrenaline for BP, but you never know with Strider. All signs are pointing in the right direction. Physically where he’s at, mentally, emotionally, he’s handled this very well. All things point the right way.”

Atlanta just suffered their first shutout loss of the season on Saturday, to the Cleveland Guardians. That loss ended a three-game win streak. The Braves will try to avenge that loss when they play Cleveland again on Sunday night.

The post Braves’ Spencer Strider to begin rehab assignment soon, but there’s a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints.