Braves Star Spencer Strider’s Elbow Ligament Injury

Spencer Strider, the star right-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, received an MRI on Saturday which revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The extent of the injury puts his availability for the rest of the season in question.

The Braves announced that Strider will undergo further evaluation by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, with the timing yet to be determined. While the team didn’t specify the severity of the damage, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker expressed concern, stating, “It wasn’t good.”

Snitker empathized with Strider, acknowledging his dedication and competitive spirit. Regarding Strider’s future, Snitker remarked, “We’ll just wait and see what they decide to do… I’m sure they’ll have something in a few days.” Strider had reported discomfort in his elbow following his four-inning performance, where he conceded five runs on seven hits in Atlanta’s 6-5 victory over Arizona on Friday night.

Snitker revealed that Strider didn’t raise concerns about his elbow until after the game had concluded. Anticipating negative results from Saturday’s MRI, Snitker commented, “You never expect these things to be good or just a blip on the screen.” He highlighted the prevalence of UCL injuries in baseball, noting that they frequently necessitate season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The Cleveland Guardians announced on Saturday that their ace, Shane Bieber, will undergo Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his season. Regarding Strider’s situation, Snitker remarked, “The good news is he’ll get whatever it is fixed and come back and have a really good career.”

In 2023, Strider boasted an impressive record of 20-5, leading the majors in wins, with 281 strikeouts, also the highest in the league. Despite a 3.86 ERA last season, his ERA stands at 7.00 after two starts this year.

Snitker stated that plans for filling Strider’s spot in the rotation will be announced later, saying, “We’re going to get through tonight and see where we’re at. To get through there are going to be a lot of variables.”

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