ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta right-hander Spencer Strider experienced a slight dip in velocity but otherwise had no difficulties in his five-inning simulated game on Wednesday.
Strider threw more than 60 pitches while facing hitters in a workout which could show he's ready to return to the Braves' rotation. It was good news for manager Brian Snitker, especially one day after seeing Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a home run with the Braves' Florida Complex League team in North Port.
“He looked like he was fine doing everything,” Snitker said, noting Strider demonstrated he could cover first base as well as handle the simulated five innings, including the rest between innings.
The return of Strider and Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, are obvious keys to Atlanta's hopes of recovering from their 0-7 start to make their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. The Braves returned to .500 with Tuesday night's 5-2 win over Washington.
Acuña has missed almost a full season following ACL surgery on his left knee last year. Acuña got hurt on May 26 last season and had surgery on June 6.
“I feel 100% because it's been such a long process,” Acuña said through translator Franco García before the Braves' game against Washington on Wednesday night.
Following only one game at North Port, the Braves are moving Acuña to a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett, beginning Thursday. The team has not said how long they expect Acuña to remain with Gwinnett before returning to his role as the Braves’ right fielder and leadoff hitter.
Acuña laughed when asked how many games he think he'll need to play at Gwinnett.
“I think you're going to have to ask the boss,” Acuña said.
Acuña played in only 49 games last season. In 2023, he hit .336 with 41 home runs and 73 steals.
Wednesday was the first time Acuña spoke with reporters since he used social media to criticize the way Snitker reacted when Braves outfielder Jared Kelenic failed to hustle on a long drive and was thrown out at second base in a 6-2 win over Minnesota on April 20.
In a similar situation, Acuña was removed from the Braves' 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 19, 2019. Then only 21 but already an All-Star, Acuña was slow to leave the batter's box on a long drive that bounced off the right-field wall for a long single. Snitker waited one inning and then took out Acuña, who posted on X that he thought Snitker handled Kelenic, who remained in last month's game, differently.
"If it were me, they would take me out of the game,” Acuña posted. He removed the post about one hour later and said Wednesday he apologized to Snitker and his teammates.
“It was just a moment of frustration for me,” Acuña said, adding that when he met with Snitker “I just apologized and asked for his forgiveness for what I posted and being a distraction.”
Acuña said being unable to contribute during the Braves' slow start, including losses in their first seven games, added to his frustration. “I talked to them man to man and admitted I was wrong,” Acuña said, adding “I think we'll be able to move on just fine.”
Strider made just two starts last season before UCL internal brace surgery on April 12, 2024. He was an All-Star in 2023, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting, going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a major league-best 281 strikeouts.
Strider returned from the elbow surgery when he pitched five innings in a 3-1 loss at Toronto on April 16. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 after straining his right hamstring, so the Braves have continued to closely monitor the condition of his right arm and right leg.
In his return against Toronto, Strider threw a 96.7 mph fastball on his first pitch and averaged 95.4 mph with his fastball. On Wednesday, Strider topped out at 95 mph and threw more fastballs at 93 and 94 mph.
“It's something we'll have to evaluate,” Sniker said when asked if Strider will need a minor league rehab start. "... It's going to take him repetitions and starts to build his velocity back.”
Strider was not available for interviews following the simulated game.
Snitker said he planned to talk with Strider on Thursday “and see what our next course of action is.”
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