Strider on the IL Again with Elbow Issues
The situation continues to be tough for Spencer Strider, the former ace now battling injuries and health challenges.
The Braves have placed their right-hander on the injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow. This announcement came after the team struggled in a game against the Mets, giving up seven runs in three innings, ultimately losing 7-5.
Strider was expected to have an MRI on Friday, but he ended up leaving the hospital early due to a significant reduction in his pitching speed. This marks his second time on the disabled list this season, and he’ll be taken off the 26-man roster with a current ERA of 5.31.
Braves manager Walt Weiss mentioned, “The situation we’re in right now doesn’t look very good,” referring to the circumstances following the game. Strider had already conceded six runs before exiting in the fourth inning, dealing with discomfort in his right arm.
Interestingly, despite his performance, Strider’s velocity has noticeably decreased. He averaged a career-low 93.7 mph with his fastball on Friday, which is alarming for someone who was once among the best in the league.
Weiss conveyed that Strider had expressed discomfort, saying, “(His) shoulder and elbow weren’t feeling very well, and he didn’t notice any decrease in velocity.” But when on the mound, Strider responded with surprise, “What?”—a clear sign that it was time to pull him from the game.
This latest setback adds to the challenges Strider has faced over the last few seasons. Previously, he experienced a successful run with a 32-10 record and a 3.37 ERA from 2021 to 2023, even finishing fourth for the 2023 National League Cy Young Award.
He only managed two starts in 2024 before needing Tommy John surgery, but returned last season to start 23 games. Unfortunately, his fastball speed dropped substantially, from 97.2 mph in 2023 to 95.5 mph in 2025. This decline is reflected in his strikeout rate, which plummeted from 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023 to 9.4 this season.
The season began with Strider on the disabled list due to a torn left oblique muscle, and since returning, he’s had eight less-than-stellar starts. In light of these challenges, the team has called up Anthony Molina to help fill the gap.
“He’s been through a lot…trying to come back these past few years,” Weiss noted. “We have seen some glimpses of his former self, especially during that outing in Los Angeles, where he looked just like the old Spencer.”
