Strider, 26, was simply one of the best pitchers in baseball before last year's elbow surgery. He pitched to a 3.36 ERA with 483 strikeouts in 318 ⅓ innings from 2022-23, and finished fourth in the 2023 NL Cy Young voting. Those 483 strikeouts led baseball those two seasons even though Strider ranked 36th in innings pitched.

Signs are pointing to Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider making his season debut on Wednesday. That’s the plan, for now, according to Braves manager Brian Snitker. A corresponding move is gonna have to be made.

On Saturday, Zachary Rotman of FanSided predicted that Elder, the 2023 All-Star, would lose his spot and be demoted back to the minors upon Strider's return. Elder, 25, has two options remaining.