Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider underwent an MRI scan on Saturday that revealed he has torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The team announced that he will be further evaluated by Dallas orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister.
Braves manager Brian Snitker: “It wasn't good'' told reporters About MRI results.
Spencer Strider underwent an MRI today and was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will be further evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, at an undetermined time.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 6, 2024
A UCL injury usually means that reconstructive surgery, or Tommy John surgery, is required. Strider underwent such surgery on his elbow in 2019 during his college career at Clemson University.
The Braves scheduled Strider for an MRI after he withdrew from starting Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to discomfort in his right elbow.
Strider, who led MLB in wins and strikeouts last season, lasted just four innings in Friday night's victory over the Braves, and his velocity had dropped by the time he started with 88 pitches.
“I thought it was one of those nights,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after his team won 6-5 in 10 innings in the home opener. “Then he came in and was complaining about his elbow. … He was feeling uncomfortable about it.”
Strider finished the night with seven hits, five runs, four strikeouts, and three walks. According to MLB.com, Friday marks the eighth time in 54 starts that the 25-year-old has pitched just four innings, and the sixth time he has failed to record at least five strikeouts in a start. It was the third time.
Strider, who made his first start of the season on Opening Day, held the Philadelphia Phillies to eight strikeouts in five innings, allowing three hits, two runs, and two walks on 90 pitches.
No matter how much time Strider misses, it will be a big loss for the Braves, who started the season with a 4-2 record and are in first place in the National League East. Strider went 20-5 with 281 strikeouts last season and finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting.
The 2024 MLB season was bad for pitchers across 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 all started the season on injured reserve. I'm in. Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians, Sandy Alcantara and Yuri Perez of the Miami Marlins, and Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox will all require Tommy John surgery and will be out until 2025.
