Spencer Strider struck out 13 batters in 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday in his second injury rehabilitation start and appears ready to return from elbow surgery to make his Atlanta Braves season debut next week.

Strider allowed three hits, two walks and one earned run against Norfolk, then was removed after 90 pitches. He struck out his first six batters, had nine strikeouts through three innings and reached 97 mph with his fastball.

“I watched most of it,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Most of it looked really good. ... As dominant as he is, it looks like he’s becoming even more of a pitcher.”

Strider last pitched for the Braves on April 5 last year and had internal brace surgery a week later with Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister. He led the major leagues in 2023 with 20 wins and 285 strikeouts, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting.

Strider has made three Triple-A rehab starts, allowing two runs in 13 2/3 innings.

“He got back out for the sixth, got his pitches,” Snitker said. “It was exactly what we wanted to happen.”

Snitker did not commit to Strider joining the Braves rotation for his next appearance. He said he wanted to see how Strider felt after the start and his next side session.

“I kind of feel like he’s right where we want him to be before he gets here,” Snitker said.

Vegas plan advances

The Athletics are moving toward the next major step in their relocation to Las Vegas, a ballpark groundbreaking.

They cleared a significant hurdle last week when the Clark County Commission approved land-use permits. That approval followed the unveiling of new stadium renderings and the announcement of a Las Vegas patch on players’ uniform sleeves for the next three seasons under a sponsorship with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

There are some documents that still need to be completed and submitted, but there appears to be nothing major that would block construction.

A’s President Marc Badain the team is on track for a June groundbreaking for the $1.75 billion, 33,000-person capacity ballpark, intended to open for the 2028 season. The club is playing the first of at least three seasons in a Triple-A ballpark at West Sacramento, California.

Briefly

>> Vladimir Guerrero’s yearly salaries are front-loaded under the $500 million, 14-year contract he agreed to this week with the Toronto Blue Jays, a deal that covers 2026-39. A four-time all-star first baseman, Guerrero receives a record $325 million signing bonus payable in 15 installments from 2025-39,

>> Seattle second baseman Ryan Bliss will undergo surgery to repair a left biceps tear and will be out four to five months.

>> The Chicago White have placed catcher Korey Lee and outfielder Mike Tauchman on the 10-day injured list. Lee has a sprained left ankle and Tauchman has a strained right hamstring.

>> The Chicago Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove from San Diego for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa

>> Pittsburgh right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after making one start and one relief appearance.