Spencer Strider Expected To Avoid Elbow Surgery

The Braves received good news on injured right-hander Spencer Strider following an MRI on his throwing elbow. Imaging did not show any ligament issues, and the team does not expect Strider to need surgery, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The righty hit the IL over the weekend with elbow inflammation.

Strider was pulled from his start on Friday against the Mets during the fourth inning. He had been knocked around for seven earned runs, including three homers. Strider averaged a season-low 93.7 mph on his fastball. The injury was initially labeled shoulder and elbow soreness.

The next step for Strider will be a visit with Dr. Keith Meister on Monday, relayed Bowman. The team will have a better idea of the pitcher’s recovery timeline after the meeting. Meister performed the internal brace procedure on Strider’s injured UCL back in 2024. Strider underwent traditional Tommy John surgery in 2019 while in college.

Strider got a late start to the season after straining his oblique in the spring. He returned to the team in early May. Through eight starts, the righty posted a 5.31 ERA. He allowed at least three earned runs in five straight appearances before heading to the IL. Strider flashed renewed strikeout ability through 39 innings, punching out 27.9% of opponents, but it came with a career-worst 12.1% walk rate.

The absence of Strider will afford JR Ritchie another opportunity in the rotation. The 22-year-old delivered one of the best outings of his young career after Strider exited Friday’s game, tossing five scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Ritchie scuffled to a 4.56 ERA in his first five starts with the Braves. Walks were the main concern, as he issued 16 free passes across 25 2/3 innings before getting sent back to the minors. Ritchie had just two walks in the relief appearance against the Mets, though he only threw 57.5% of his pitches for strikes.