With Opening Day just around the corner, the Atlanta Braves have made key roster adjustments, particularly concerning the injured list (IL). While these moves were mostly anticipated, they offer valuable insights into player availability and expected return timelines.
The Braves officially announced these IL designations, shedding light on the status of several players. Ronald Acuña Jr. has been placed on the 10-day IL, whereas Spencer Strider is on the 15-day IL. This difference stems from MLB regulations requiring pitchers (and two-way players) to be assigned to the 15-day IL while position players are eligible for the 10-day IL. Though Acuña’s placement might suggest an earlier return, it does not necessarily mean he will be back before Strider. Both players will have ample recovery time before rejoining the lineup.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. has been nursing an injury since late February and still needs additional time for recovery. Given his current condition, he is expected to begin the season in Triple-A. Meanwhile, catcher Sean Murphy has been cleared to resume baseball activities, but he remains a few weeks away from a full return to action.
Reliever Joe Jiménez, who underwent major knee surgery, has also been placed on the 15-day IL. Due to the severity of his injury, he is projected to miss a substantial part—if not the entirety—of the 2025 season. The Braves will likely shift him to the 60-day IL when a roster spot needs to be freed up, marking his first official IL designation post-surgery.
In addition, Spencer Strider recently made his first spring training start, delivering an impressive performance with a lively fastball and sharp slider. Despite his initial success, his second outing was less dominant, as he struggled to escape the second inning while allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk. Strider himself admitted it was not as smooth as his first outing. However, his ability to generate swings and misses remains promising, and more importantly, his health is not a concern. He appears slightly ahead of schedule in his rehab progression, offering optimism for an earlier return to the Braves’ starting rotation.
Overall, these roster adjustments, while expected, provide a clearer picture of the Braves’ lineup as Opening Day approaches. With these moves in place, the team continues to fine-tune its roster, ensuring it is well-prepared for the upcoming season.
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