The Atlanta Braves received some devastating news on Saturday. Their All-Star right-hander Spencer Strider has been diagnosed with ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) damage in his throwing hand and might be forced to miss out the rest of 2024 season.
Strider struggled in Friday night’s 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing five runs in four innings. After the game, he reported discomfort in his elbow and was sent to get an MRI, which revealed the damage.
Strider is now expected to have further consultation, but he will likely need a Tommy John surgery that will rule him out for at least 16 months.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said that the team is expected to have an update about Strider in the upcoming days.
“You hate that,” Snitker said. “You hate it for him. I feel really bad for him. I mean, the kid does everything right. Loves to compete.”
Snitker acknowledged that surgery is a real option for Strider but said that the injury shouldn’t have any long-term impact on him.
“The good news is he’ll get whatever it is fixed and come back and have a really good career,” he added.
Spencer Strider was coming off a career season in 2023 in which he made his first All-Star and All-MLB First Team. He finished the season with a 20–5 record, 286 strikeouts, and a 3.86 ERA, leading the entire MLB in wins and strikeouts.
