NORTH PORT, Fla. — Throughout his rehab process over the last year, Spencer Strider remained mindful of delayed gratification, which is the idea that it might be a while before each day’s work pays off in a tangible way. He held that tenet closely as he went through each and every step, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential it might have seemed to a casual onlooker.
When he began the process, the end goal was not a spring training start. The journey’s end wouldn’t even be his return to a major-league mound in the regular season.
Strider wants to have a long and successful career during which he maximizes his abilities. More than small milestones along the way, that is his aim.
But, man, was Monday nice for him.
For the first time since April 5 of last year, when he made his final start before needing internal brace surgery, Strider took the mound. Yes, it was only a Grapefruit League game. But here he was, jogging out to the mound to warm up for the first inning. He pitched into the third inning and couldn’t have looked better.