Braves Place Strider on Injured List After Elbow Inflammation, No Ligament Damage Found
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider was shut down from throwing for four weeks after Saturday MRI showed elbow inflammation. The team reinstated catcher Drake Baldwin from the injured list on Monday.
Usa TodayAtlanta placed pitcher Spencer Strider on the injured list Saturday after an MRI showed inflammation in his right elbow with no ligament damage. Strider exited Friday's game against the Mets after three-plus innings, charged with seven earned runs. His fastball velocity dropped from 96 mph to 88 mph by the fourth inning.
An MRI taken Saturday in Atlanta confirmed inflammation without ligament damage. Strider consulted with Dr. Keith Meister and was shut down from throwing for four weeks, with a follow-up MRI scheduled for mid-July.
Strider underwent Tommy John surgery at Clemson in 2019 and an internal brace procedure on the same elbow performed by Dr. Meister in 2024. He opened the 2026 season on the injured list with a left oblique strain.
31 ERA. 2 mph in 2023. The four-week shutdown opens the possibility of a 60-day injured list stint.
A clean mid-July MRI would allow Strider to begin a throwing program around the All-Star break, with a potential return in September. Atlanta reinstated catcher Drake Baldwin from the injured list on Monday. Baldwin had been on the shelf since straining his right oblique against the Marlins on May 18 and receiving a Grade 1 diagnosis the next day.
To clear a roster spot, the Braves outrighted catcher Austin Wynns. 543 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs before the injury. Atlanta's record stands at 46-25, atop the National League East. The team will turn to No.
82 ERA over 30 2/3 innings, to fill Strider's spot in the rotation.
