NORTH PORT, Fla. — When Spencer Strider woke up on Monday morning, he was ready to go. He knew he was throwing live batting practice later that morning.
“I’m in a bad mood and I’m ornery and they know that they gotta clear out the clubhouse when I walk in,” Strider joked after he threw. “I like that a lot. I’ve missed it. Certainly, with how things went last year, I’ve been itching to get back out there.”
Strider was half-joking. He has a great sense of humor and, no, he wasn’t walking through the clubhouse like this was a postseason start. It is only spring training. But he was serious about wanting to taste competition again, and he tried to have the correct mindset before he pitched.
During live batting practice in the main stadium at the Braves’ CoolToday Park complex, Strider faced teammates Matt Olson and Austin Riley. He looked, and felt, good. His stuff was crisp — for Feb. 19. He allowed a couple hits, depending on who you ask or who played in the field, but no runs. (This is all unofficial, of course, because Strider threw in an environment that simulated a game but had no fielders or umpires.)
One highlight: Strider toyed with a slider that featured a different shape. It looked almost like a curveball. It’s far too soon to know whether it could be part of his arsenal this season.
“I think it’s just manipulating the ball a little more, seeing what kind of shape I can get, different shapes I can get,” Strider said. “More so just kind of screwing around taking that chance right now in a live BP.”
Strider’s live batting practice session lasted for around 30 minutes. As he threw, Braves manager