Atlanta Braves Remove Spencer Strider in Fourth Inning After Fastball Velocity Drops

The Atlanta Braves removed pitcher Spencer Strider from the mound in the fourth inning of their June 12 game against the New York Mets at Citi Field after his fastball velocity dropped from about 93 mph to 86-87 mph. The team announced that Strider is dealing with elbow and shoulder soreness. Manager Walt Weiss said the drop in velocity prompted the decision to check on the pitcher.

"We saw the velocity was way down. We went out there and asked him if he was all right. That's the extent of what I know right now," Weiss told reporters after the game.

Strider threw 68 pitches before exiting. He allowed all the Mets' runs in the Braves' 7-5 loss, including three home runs and one grand slam. Weiss said the team does not yet know the full extent of the injury.

"He's gonna have images taken (Saturday) and everything, so we don't know a whole lot, but obviously something wasn't right," Weiss said. "He didn't look right that last inning, so that's when the alarm bells went off when we started seeing upper 80s with his fastball," Weiss added. Strider, 27, made his eighth appearance of the 2026 season on June 12.

31 ERA. The Braves said Strider will undergo imaging on Saturday, June 13, to diagnose the injury. Strider had already missed time earlier in the season after an oblique issue in spring training and has spent much of the past two years on the injured list.