Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider will miss the remainder of the season due to a right elbow injury that required surgery, the team announced on Saturday. The procedure to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, using an internal brace.
Strider began experiencing discomfort in his elbow after pitching four innings in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 5. An MRI confirmed the damage to his UCL, leading to the decision for surgery.
Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged the unfortunate turn of events, stating, “You never expect these things to turn out right or be a blip in the picture.”
The 25-year-old pitcher had an impressive 2023 season, going 20-5 with a league-leading 281 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA. However, his performance this year was not as strong, with a 7.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in two starts.
Strider now joins a growing list of pitchers who have suffered significant injuries this season, including Cleveland’s Shane Bieber, Nicaragua’s Jonathan Loáisiga, Miami’s Eury Pérez, and Oakland’s Trevor Gott, all dealing with elbow issues.
The Braves will have to navigate the rest of the season without their ace pitcher, hoping for a swift and successful recovery for Strider.