Braves welcome back star pitcher Spencer Strider with confident message

The Atlanta Braves haven't had the start yet, they hoped for this season of 2025. Only a few victories and a multitude of early losses, the Braves have been seeking something to help them change the momentum. The Braves took to social media on April 16, 2025, with a brief posting. Two simple words, yet it was all it took to get people abuzz. Then came the emoji and the news became apparent.

Braves' two-word message for Spencer Strider’s return Atlanta Braves promising young ace starting pitcher Spencer Strider, at 26 years old, was back with the Atlanta Braves pitching staff after playing very little last year. The Braves have confirmed this before their final game in their series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. He will be making his first big league appearance after having surgery on his right elbow in the early part of 2024.

Spencer Strider is back, it's the first time he's pitched in the MLB in 376 days. pic.twitter.com/Y8sMVburPZ

— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) April 16, 2025

Spencer Strider's injury occurred just two games into the previous season, when physicians confirmed that he would require surgery on his pitching elbow. The Braves reached the playoffs in his absence but missed him deeply, particularly during the postseason.

Since then, in the months that have passed, Strider has worked diligently to come back and be even stronger. In recent weeks, he made three rehab appearances in Triple-A. In those games, he threw 13 2/3 innings and had a whopping 27 strikeouts, showing he's ready to compete at the major league level again.

Strider was a name before the injury, known in the league. He had 202 strikeouts in his first full season with a 2.69 ERA in 2022. He led MLB in wins (20), strikeouts (281) and a 4th place National League Cy Young vote in 2023 in MLB.
Braves’ Chris Sale struggles as Reynaldo Lopez stays outWhile Spencer Strider is set to return, the rest of the Braves' pitching rotation has been facing trouble. Chris Sale, the 36-year-old veteran who led the Braves' staff in 2024 and even won the National League Cy Young Award, hasn't started strong this season. Through four starts in 2025, Sale has posted a 6.63 ERA. His performance has raised concerns as the team tries to stay competitive early in the season.

The other top pitcher, Reynaldo Lopez, is out as well. Lopez is out on the injured list after shoulder surgery on April 8, 2025. Doctors indicate he'll need approximately 12 weeks to heal, which will leave the Braves without him for an extended period of time. Without Lopez and Sale, the team is in dire need of some relief in the rotation, and that's why the return of Strider is so significant.

The Braves' message— "He's back"—wasn't merely one of excitement. It was one of hope, too, for the team, for the fans, and for a season that has time yet to turn around.

Also Read: Braves Set To Welcome Back Spencer Strider After Long Injury Break