Spencer Strider was scratched from his scheduled start against the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB Speedway Classic on Saturday, Aug. 2 after a lengthy rain delay sidelined first pitch for over two hours.
Atlanta will instead go with Austin Cox, a relief pitcher, signaling the Braves are going to have a bullpen game at Bristol Motor Speedway.
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Strider, who underwent an internal brace procedure on his elbow last season that sidelined him for nearly the entire year, has a 5-8 record with a 3.71 ERA in 77⅔ innings in 2025. He also has 92 strikeouts.
Cincinnati is still going with Tennessee native and former Volunteers pitcher Chase Burns, despite Burns having to warm up twice for his start due to the weather delay. Strider is also a Tennessee native, having attended the Christian Academy of Knoxville.
Atlanta has been careful with Strider this season as he comes off his elbow injury. The former All-Star has eclipsed 100 pitches only three times in 2025.
The MLB Speedway Classic is set for a 9:40 p.m. ET first pitch after previously being scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Spencer Strider scratched from start
Strider was scratched from his start on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the MLB Speedway Classic after a lengthy rain delay.
Strider, coming off an elbow injury, would’ve had to warm up twice for his start after previously ramping up for the game before the delay.
He has a 3.71 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 77⅔ innings this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spencer Strider scratched from start after MLB Speedway Classic delay
