The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday morning that Spencer Strider will not be able to play for the remainder of the 2024 season due to surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Strider will wear an internal brace during the procedure.
Due to elbow pain, Spencer left his most recent Braves start on April 5 after four innings. During his 88-pitch appearance, his velocity decreased to 95.9 mph, a decrease from his 2023 average of 97.2 mph.
The following day, an MRI showed that his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament had been injured. After additional evaluation, orthopedic specialist Dr. Keith Meister of Dallas determined that surgery was the best option for Strider's elbow.
Reporters were informed by Braves manager Brian Snitker, "It wasn't good," on the MRI results on April 6.
Rehab time is reduced when using an internal brace instead of Tommy John surgery, as CBS Sports' Mike Axisa revealed last year.
The Braves, who are 8-4 and in first place in the National League East, will be without their star player until the 2019 season. In 2023, Strider finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting and had a 20-5 record with 281 strikeouts.
Another MLB pitcher has hurt their arm this season, and Strider is the most recent one. Some of the pitchers who did not start the season or ended up on the injured list include Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals, Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros, and Josiah Gray of the Washington Nationals.
Strider is the latest pitcher to be sidelined until next season, joining the likes of Cleveland Guardians Shane Bieber, Miami Marlins Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez, and Boston Red Sox Lucas Giolito.
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