April 13, 2024
Braves ace Spencer Strider underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will be out for the rest of the 2024 season, his club announced Saturday morning.
Strider was Atlanta's Opening Day starter against the Phillies back on March 29, when he allowed only three hits and two earned runs over five innings. He made only one more start after against the Diamondbacks on April 5, needing to leave after four innings due to discomfort in his throwing elbow.
The source of it proved serious, and the resulting surgery now stands to impact the outlook of the NL East with the Phillies intent on trying to chase the Braves down for the division crown this year.
RHP Spencer Strider yesterday underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow with internal brace, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX. He will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 13, 2024
Strider, 25, has been a force since reaching the Majors in 2021 and went 20-5 with 3.86 ERA and 281 strikeouts last season to put him in the NL Cy Young conversation. Of course, the Phillies had his number in the 2022 NLDS and got him again in the 2023 rematch, as taunting "STRIDER" chants echoed through the Citizens Bank Park crowd.
They'll be absent in 2024, all while Strider's injury contributes to a growing list among hard-throwing, velocity-focused pitchers throughout Major League Baseball.
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