Braves Ace Spencer Strider Dealt Another Bad Break, Back to IL

Just five days after making his first start in more than a year after elbow surgery, Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider is heading back to the injured list, after straining his hamstring simply playing catch today.

Strider injured his hamstring playing catch within the past hour
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 21, 2025

Atlanta ace Spencer Strider returns to the IL with a strained hamstring after making his 2025 debut last week.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 21, 2025

Strider's debut last week was a good one, as he tossed five innings, allowing five hits, one walk and two runs, while striking out five. His velocity on his fastball was down a couple of ticks, but that's to be reasonably expected after his surgery and 12 months off.

He will be eligible to return from the IL on May 3, but it's not clear at this point how serious the strain is, and whether the dominant right-hander will be ready to go by that date. Strider was doing some light throwing in advance of his scheduled second start, which was to be on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Strider's last full season was 2023, when he led the major leagues with 20 wins (20-5) and strikeouts (281) as well as K/9 (13.5). He was named an All-Star and finished fourth in Cy Young voting, with his 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

He looked dominant in his couple of appearances in spring training this year, and minor leaguers had no chance against him to start the AAA season in 13.2 innings over three starts at Gwinnett, as they mustered only five hits and two runs, while striking out a remarkable 27 times for a 17.8 K/9.

The Braves have recalled RHP Michael Petersen to take Strider's spot on the roster. His IL stint was backdated to April 18th.