4 days agoThe Atlanta Braves officially placed outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) on the injured list, the team announced. Acuna was put on the 10-day IL, while Strider is on the 15-day IL. Additionally, infielder
Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) and catcher
Sean Murphy (rib cage) were put on the 10-day IL. All the moves were backdated to March 24. Despite tearing both of his ACLs now, RotoBaller has Acuna ranked as the No. 16 fantasy outfielder in 2025. The 27-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star is expected to make his season debut at some point in May, barring a setback once he resumes playing in games. Strider, meanwhile, is recovering from internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but he's further along and is expected to make his 2025 debut in April. He was able to make two Grapefruit League starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
1 week agoAtlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) is looking to throw 45-50 pitches in his second Grapefruit League start on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Because Strider was able to get up three times in his spring debut on Monday, he could pitch into the fourth inning this weekend. The 26-year-old could leave spring training needing only two to three more tune-up outings before making his 2025 debut. Atlanta will be very cautious with their ace, but Strider's progress so far in camp has been a best-case scenario. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up after having an internal-brace procedure in mid-April of 2024, Strider should be back no later than late-April. Because of his great progress this spring, Strider's ADP continues to rise, and he's now ranked as the No. 15 fantasy starting pitcher at RotoBaller.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
2 weeks agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (elbow) made his long-awaited spring debut on Monday, tossing 2 2/3 perfect innings while striking out six. Although the competition he faced wasn't the toughest, it was encouraging to see his pitches at work following the injury. His fastball topped out at 98 mph and his breaking balls looked as dominant as ever. He only made it two starts into 2024 before requiring a season-ending internal brace procedure on his UCL. In 2023, he posed a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out a whopping 281 batters in 186 2/3 innings. His 3.09 xERA and .205 xBA also both ranked in the top-10 percent of the league. Strider could very easily be one of the best pitchers in the sport once again in 2025, which would make him one of the best values on draft day. Expect his ADP to continue to rise as he makes more spring appearances.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoMLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday and start against the Boston Red Sox. It's a positive step in the right direction for Strider, who made only two starts in 2024 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old hurler will open the 2025 regular season on the injured list as he puts the finishing touches on his rehab, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could make his season debut for Atlanta by the end of April. Strider was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and was one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, a league-best 281 strikeouts and 58 walks in 186 2/3 innings over 32 starts. He also had over 200 strikeouts in 2022, but he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 38 starting pitcher this year because he could the entire first month and may not be as sharp upon his initial return.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
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