The Atlanta Braves announced Sunday that ace Spencer Strider is scheduled to start Monday's spring game versus the Boston Red Sox, according to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Strider will be making his first spring start since having an internal brace inserted to repair the UCL in his right elbow in April 2024, which has a shorter recovery timetable than Tommy John surgery. Some pitchers have come back as early as nine months following the internal brace procedure.

The 26-year-old was originally slated to return around late April but could be back a little sooner than expected if his recovery continues to progress through spring training.

Strider owns a career 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9 over four years with Atlanta.

The 2023 All-Star will join a rotation that's also projected to feature reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Grant Holmes.