Braves Pitcher Strider Allows Seven Runs Over Three Innings, Exits With Shoulder and Elbow Soreness

Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider left his start against the New York Mets in the fourth inning on Friday night with right shoulder and elbow soreness. Strider allowed six hits and seven earned runs over three innings, including three home runs and a grand slam to Bo Bichette in the second inning. He struck out three batters before exiting.

His fastball velocity fell to 88 or 89 mph during a six-pitch walk to MJ Melendez in the third inning, down from the 92 to 96 mph range recorded in the first two innings. Braves manager Walt Weiss said the drop triggered concern. "The alarm bells went off when we started seeing the upper 80s with his fastball," Weiss said.

Weiss and a trainer visited Strider on the mound. Strider reported elbow and shoulder discomfort and said he had not noticed the reduced velocity. He walked off the field after the short consultation.

"It's never good when a guy walks off the field," Weiss said after the Braves fell 7-5. Strider will undergo imaging for the right shoulder and elbow. Strider had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2019 and had the UCL in the same elbow repaired with an internal brace in April 2024.

He missed the first 34 games of the 2026 season while recovering from a strained left oblique. 31 ERA this season. JR Ritchie replaced Strider and threw the final five innings.