MRI Reveals Braves Ace Spencer Strider Has Damage to UCL in Right Elbow

Patrick Andres | Apr 6, 2024

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider throws a pitch during a game against the Phillies. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves have already surged into first place in the NL East, but their hot start has run into a significant speed bump.

A recent MR revealed that Braves ace pitcher Spencer Strider has damage in his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced Saturday afternoon ahead of its game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Per Atlanta, Strider "will be further evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, (Texas), at a date yet to be determined."

Meister, a renowned sports medicine guru, was dubbed "the ... maestro of Tommy John surgery" by Texas Monthly in 2023.

News of Strider's injury capped a disheartening week of elbow injuries across baseball, with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber and Miami Marlins pitcher Eury Pérez already lost for the season.

Spencer Strider today underwent an MRI that revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will be further evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX, at a date yet to be determined.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 6, 2024

Strider, one of baseball's brightest young stars, is coming off a superb 2023 in which he went 20–5 with 281 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA. He finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting for his efforts.