ATLANTA -- Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep might not have time to build back up in time to pitch again this year. But as Braves manager Walt Weiss spoke to reporters Monday afternoon, he was happy to say both pitchers were recently cleared to begin a throwing program.
“I don't think you count on [Waldrep and Strider returning this year],” Weiss said. “But, it's great that we're even talking about it at this point, because I'm sure most of us had probably written that off. So the fact that it's even a conversation, I think, is a positive thing.”
The fact that Strider and Waldrep are healthy enough to at least play catch is encouraging. But as Spencer Schwellenbach has learned, the recovery process is far from over when a throwing program begins.
Schwellenbach underwent arthroscopic surgery in February to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow. He began his throwing program in June. As of Monday afternoon, he was still in Atlanta, waiting to be cleared to go to the team’s Spring Training site to face live hitters.
Once Schwellenbach throws live batting practice once or twice, he would need to go through a rehab assignment that would almost certainly carry into the first couple weeks of September.
So, the likelihood of him returning during the regular season is also dwindling.
With that being said, not all timetables are the same. Waldrep was shut down when he pulled himself from a July 19 start for Triple-A Gwinnett with right arm discomfort. Strider has been sidelined since June 12 with right elbow inflammation.
Strider visited Dr. Keith Meister on June 15 and was told to return for an update in a month. The Braves didn’t provide an update until Monday. Much of the talk over the past two months has pointed toward him missing the rest of the season.
“I think there was a possibility he could have been out for the year,” Weiss said. “That's why it's tough to put timelines out there because things just change. Their progression changes from day to day. It's never linear. He's feeling good and the tests are positive.”
When Weiss recently said Waldrep was getting multiple opinions regarding his arm, there was a sense he may need season-ending surgery. But a recent evaluation gave the young hurler the clearance to begin throwing.
Even if Waldrep and Strider don’t return this year, the opportunity to go into the offseason having spent some time throwing could benefit them, much like it has Grant Holmes (3.47 ERA) over the course of this season.