ATLANTA (AP) — Spencer Strider struck out 13 batters in 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett in his second injury rehabilitation start Thursday and appears ready to return from elbow surgery to make his Atlanta Braves season debut next week.
Strider allowed three hits, two walks and one earned run against Norfolk, then was removed after 90 pitches, as planned. He struck out his first six batters, had nine strikeouts through three innings and reached 97 mph with his fastball.
“I watched most of it,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Most of it looked really good. .