ATLANTA -- Spencer Strider struck out 13 batters in 5u2153 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday in his second injury rehabilitation start and appears ready to return from elbow surgery to make his Atlanta Braves season debut next week.
Strider gave up 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.