Indeed the Braves pitcher was “so back.” Strider took the mound and played like he’d never left. In just over two innings he struck out not one but six Red Sox batters. When he was removed from the game in the third inning he received a standing ovation from the Braves fans in the crowd.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider showed no signs of rust in his return to the mound Monday, striking out six of the eight Boston batters he faced in 2 2/3 perfect innings. Strider said it was "fun to play" again following his sparkling Grapefruit League performance against the Red Sox in North Port,

The Braves have a deeper rotation than most, led by Sale, Reynaldo López and Spencer Schwellenbach, a revelation last season as a rookie. But when they activate Strider from the IL, provided the others stay healthy, it has the makings of an elite unit topped by arguably the best 1-2 combination in baseball — Sale and Strider, in either order.