Braves' Spencer Strider has ligament damage in right elbow, MRI exam reveals
Strider's velocity was noticeably down against the Diamondbacks before he exted after four innings
Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider has damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, according to an MRI exam the pitcher underwent Saturday. The team announced that Strider will be evaluated further by Dallas orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister.
"It wasn't good," Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters about the MRI results.
Spencer Strider today underwent an MRI that revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will be further evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX, at a date yet to be determined.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 6, 2024
Damage to the UCL typically means that reconstructive surgery, also known as Tommy John surgery, is necessary. Strider had such a procedure on his elbow in 2019 during his college career at Clemson.
The Braves scheduled an MRI for Strider after he left Friday's start against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to discomfort in his right elbow. Strider, the MLB leader in wins and strikeouts last season, lasted only four innings during the Braves' win, and his velocity was down over the course of his 88-pitch outing.
“I thought it was just one of those nights,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker after the team's 6-5, 10-inning win during their home opener. “Then he came in and was complaining about his elbow. ... He was uncomfortable with how it was feeling."
Strider finished his night allowing five runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks. According to MLB.com, Friday was only the eighth time in 54 starts that the 25-year-old has gone only four innings and only the sixth time that he did not record at least five strikeouts.
During his first start of the season on Opening Day, Strider struck out eight Philadelphia Phillies in five innings and allowed two runs on three hits with two walks over 90 pitches.
Any amount of time missed by Strider would be a big loss for the Braves, who are atop the NL East after a 4-2 start to the season and are counting on Strider to lead their rotation. He posted a 20-5 record last season with 281 strikeouts and finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
The 2024 MLB season so far has not been kind to pitchers around the league. Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers, Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros are among the starters who have begun the season on the injured list. Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians, Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez of the Miami Marlins, and Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox will also be out until 2025 after needing Tommy John surgery.
