Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider diagnosed with ligament damage in right elbow after MRI exam

Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider undergoes MRI after early exit due to elbow discomfort, raising concerns for MLB's injury-plagued pitchers.

Atlanta Braves star pitcher Spencer Strider is set to undergo an MRI this Saturday following his early exit from Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to discomfort in his right elbow.

Strider, who led the MLB in wins and strikeouts last season, struggled through four innings in Friday night's game, with a noticeable decrease in velocity over his 88-pitch outing. Despite his efforts, he allowed five runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three. This marked the eighth time in 54 starts that the 25-year-old pitcher failed to go beyond four innings and the sixth time he fell short of recording at least five strikeouts in a start.

In his season debut on Opening Day, Strider impressed by striking out eight Philadelphia Phillies in five innings, giving up only two runs on three hits with two walks over 90 pitches.

The potential loss of Strider for any period would be a significant blow for the Braves, who currently lead the NL East with a 4-2 record. Last season, Strider boasted a remarkable 20-5 record with 281 strikeouts, earning him a fourth-place finish in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

The 2024 MLB season has been plagued with injuries to several star pitchers across the league. Notable names like Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer, and Jacob deGrom, among others, have all started the season on the injured list. Additionally, pitchers like Shane Bieber, Sandy Alcantara, and Lucas Giolito are expected to miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery.

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