Braves Get Injury Update On Spencer Strider

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Braves Get Injury Update On Spencer Strider

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas Covone | Last updated Jun 15, 2026 1:19 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves received some relieving news regarding right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider coming off two straight series losses to the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.

Strider is having a rough start to his 2026 campaign, both injury and statistic wise.

The 27-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique muscle strain on March 25, he did not make a return until May 3.

Unfortunately, after being removed from a rough start against the Mets, Strider has landed back on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

The former All-Star had an MRI which luckily did not show any ligament damage and just inflammation. Strider is set to meet with Doctor Meister, the same doctor who performed his Tommy John surgery in 2024, on Monday to determine the next steps and a potential timeline for his return. He is not expected to need surgery.

Strider’s MRI didn’t show any ligament damage, just inflammation. There aren’t any current concerns about him needing surgery. Today’s visit with Dr. Meister (performed surgery in 2024) will just provide an indication of what the next steps will be. Meister will provide a…
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 15, 2026

The 2023 strikeout leader has only been able to make eight starts this season and has struggled mightily on the mound. Across 39 innings, Strider holds a 5.31 ERA with nine home runs allowed and 46 strikeouts.

A large concern surrounding Strider is his noticeably slower four-seam fastball. In his last fully heathy season in 2023, Strider's fastball averaged 97.2 mph with great run value, according to Baseball Savant.

However, in 2026 his fastball velocity is down to 95.1 mph with a Fastball Run Value ranking in the 15th percentile in the league. During his last start against the Mets, where he gave up seven earned runs in three innings, Strider's fastball was down to 88 mph.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

This update for Strider is a sigh of relief for the Braves, who seemed to expect a much worse outcome. However, the lost of Strider for any more time would be a tough blow given their slim rotation without Spencer Schwellenbach.

The Braves are still in prime position to take the National League East Division for the the seventh time in nine years, as they hold first place and a 46-25 record. Despite injuries to key players such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Drake Baldwin, Schwllenbach and Strider, the Braves have not let up their World Series aspirations.

The team has had injury issues in the pervious two seasons, and missed the playoffs in 2025. But they are not letting them define them this year and continue to dominate.

We will likely receive another update on Strider following his meeting with his Doctor on Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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