Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider is facing a potential second Tommy John surgery after suffering a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Strider, who had Tommy John surgery in 2019, experienced discomfort during his recent start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, prompting the Braves to place him on the 15-day injured list. Manager Brian Snitker revealed that Strider’s MRI results were not promising, with further updates expected over the weekend.
During his most recent outing, Strider displayed diminished fastball velocity and struggled with effectiveness, allowing five runs over four innings pitched. Despite his strong performance in previous seasons, including a fourth-place finish in Cy Young Award voting last year, Strider’s future playing time remains uncertain due to his UCL injury.
If Strider requires surgery, he could potentially miss an extended period of time, leaving the Braves to explore rotation options. Young pitchers like AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder may step in to fill the void left by Strider, along with established MLB starters like Dylan Dodd and Huascar Ynoa.
The Braves are hopeful that Strider can avoid surgery and recover through rehabilitation, but the severity of his injury will ultimately determine the course of action. In the meantime, the team is prepared to adapt to Strider’s absence and continue competing in the National League.
Stay tuned for more updates on Spencer Strider’s injury status as the Braves navigate this challenging setback in their pitching rotation.
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