MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports Spencer Strider (elbow) could be ready to make his season debut in late April.
It’s not an official return timetable, but there should be some clarity from the Braves in the coming days. Bowman adds that Strider has been throwing bullpen sessions and might be allowed to make at least one Grapefruit League appearance during spring training, which puts him on track to return to Atlanta’s starting rotation by late April, barring any setbacks. The 26-year-old strikeout machine will require at least a few extra weeks to continue building up his stamina and pitch count before making his season debut, but it sounds like he isn’t facing a lengthy absence at the outset of the year, which is extremely encouraging from a fantasy standpoint. He’s currently being selected 139th overall, on average, in NFBC drafts and fantasy managers should expect that to rise in the coming weeks.