With 10 days left before the start of the 2025 regular season, we’re beginning to see several pitchers who missed most — if not, all — of last season and who are ramping up for 2025. On the 16th, it was Brandon Woodruff. On March 17, it was Spencer Strider, who made only two starts in 2024 before season-ending surgery. Against the Red Sox, Strider looked like the pitcher fans saw in 2022 and 2023.

Spencer Strider struck out six batters over 2.2 IP against the Red Sox on March 17. Strider struck out five batters in a row between the first and second inning, with Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony among the ones who fell victim to the Braves’ co-ace.

Per the FanDuel Sports Network South broadcast, Strider hit 98 MPH on his four-seam fastball. The right-hander also showed off a slider in the 86 MPH range, plus a high-70s curveball. That curveball was a new addition to his arsenal in 2024, as Strider used it 12% of the time.

Strider missed most of 2024 after surgery to repair the UCL ligament in his right elbow. But it wasn’t Tommy John surgery, rather an internal brace. The Braves right-hander didn’t need Tommy John, as the ligament itself wasn’t in bad shape, per Strider. Rather, it was a problematic bone fragment that ended his 2024 season.

Now, the goal will be to build back up before the 2025 regular season.

Strider’s still likely to start the season on the IL, as the Braves haven’t given a timetable on when he’ll be activated.

It’s the second-straight day a frontline arm made his spring debut. Yesterday, Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff made his 2025 bow after missing all of 2024 thanks to shoulder surgery. Likely Strider, Woodruff is also likely to start the 2025 season on the IL. But, Woodruff did well in his debut, as well.

Woodruff threw a scoreless inning against the Guardians and struck out one batter.

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