Strider diagnosed with mild hamstring strain, no timetable for return

The Atlanta Braves received perhaps the best possible news about Spencer Strider's health.

Tests revealed that Strider, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, is dealing with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. A Grade 1 strain is considered mild and usually comes with a quicker recovery.

Still, the Braves remain without a firm timetable for their ace's return. Strider needs time to rest and heal the strain, and the team won't know exactly when he could return for another few weeks, Bowman added.

Strider strained his hamstring while playing catch prior to Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He told reporters Tuesday that he felt the injury after making a 75-foot throw and has no idea why it happened, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.

The injury marks a setback for the 26-year-old, who missed most of last year while recovering from elbow surgery. Strider made his first start of the season last week in Toronto and was slated to face the Cardinals on Tuesday.

"It sucks. I just feel like I'm taking up space here again," Strider said, according to Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game. "I'll do everything possible humanly to get back out there as soon as I can."

The Braves initially recalled right-hander Michael Petersen to fill Strider's active roster spot but sent him back to Triple-A Gwinnett after he threw two innings in Monday's game. Atlanta selected right-hander Nathan Wiles from Gwinnett in a corresponding move and released right-hander Amos Willingham to clear a 40-man roster spot for Wiles.

Reliever Scott Blewett, whom Atlanta acquired from Baltimore in a minor trade Sunday, will open Tuesday in Strider's place. Wiles, who was starting in Triple-A and is stretched out, will likely follow Blewett and could reach as many as 100 pitches in a bulk role, O'Brien added.

Atlanta, which started the season 0-7 with injuries to Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and other key players, enters play Tuesday on a four-game winning streak.