Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider will begin the 2026 season on the injured list due to a left oblique strain, manager Walt Weiss announced during spring training in North Port, Florida. Strider felt a slight pull after a minor-league start against the Red Sox on Tuesday and was scratched from Monday's scheduled outing against the Pirates due to lingering discomfort.
The Braves revealed the injury as they prepare to exit spring training camp with multiple starting pitchers unavailable. Weiss stated Strider is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, though the exact severity remains unclear. 'I think we've gotten out in front of this thing to a degree,' Weiss said. 'So we're hoping it's not going to be a big deal.' He added, 'It's hard for him to feel it, but it is there when he throws. There's a chance, if he would have went out and made a start today, it would have set him back further.' Didier Fuentes will start in Strider's place on Monday in Bradenton, but the 20-year-old is slated to begin the season as a reliever. The injury compounds issues for Atlanta's rotation. The team opened camp noting projected No. 2 starter Spencer Schwellenbach's right elbow discomfort. Others sidelined include Hurston Waldrep and Schwellenbach, both with February elbow surgery; Joey Wentz, who tore his right ACL on March 8; and AJ Smith-Shawver, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June. Atlanta's opening rotation is likely to feature Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and José Suarez. López's four-seam fastball averaged 89.4 mph in a recent spring outing against the Twins, which he attributed to mechanical issues. Martín Pérez may see earlier action after agreeing to stay in the organization. Weiss noted, 'We've got a long way to go. There'll be more punches along the way. But we've got some quality arms in this camp.' Strider, a 2023 All-Star who had a second major elbow surgery in 2024, saw his fastball at 93-94 mph in recent innings.