Why the Braves Should Bet on Upside in the Rotation

With Strider out, the case for Fuentes, Ritchie, and internal ceiling over veteran floor

You’ve got to be kidding.

Braves starter Spencer Strider is going on the injured list for an oblique injury, although the team doesn’t believe it’ll be a long stay. “It’s mild. He got out in front of it, but we’re gonna be cautious,” manager Walt Weiss said. “We feel like we’ve gotten out in front of this thing to a degree, so we’re hoping it’s not gonna be a big deal.”

This is, somehow, the fourth rotation injury the team has dealt with during spring training, a period of only about six weeks. Strider will join Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow), and Joey Wentz (ACL) on the injured list later this week when the Braves finalize the Opening Day roster, although only Wentz as of now is expected to miss the entire season.

But for at least the first few weeks of the season, what does Atlanta do to fill their rotation? Let’s talk about it.