MLB News: All-Star Pitcher Has Torn UCL.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider was evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, according to Braves manager Brian Snitker.
On Saturday, the Braves announced that Strider’s MRI revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The Braves don’t plan to have an update on Strider until this weekend.
Strider complained about elbow discomfort during Atlanta’s 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. He pitched four innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.
The Braves placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Sunday but were waiting for more testing with Meister before deciding if the team’s ace needs Tommy John surgery or not.
“It wasn’t good, and you hate that — hate it for him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of the initial MRI results. “I feel really bad for him, a kid that does everything right. Loves to compete, and just everything. So, just wait and see what they decide to do.”
While the Braves haven’t officially said that Strider has torn his UCL, when it comes to injuries like this, a sprain is considered a tear. The Braves on Sunday called Strider’s injury a “right elbow UCL sprain,” but they haven’t provided details on the extent of the damage – or whether there was a significant tear in the ligament.
Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019 while he was a sophomore at Clemson. If this is the route they choose for him, he won’t be back until the middle of next season.
“You hate to lose him like that, but we’re going to keep going and fighting hard,” Snitker said. “It’s happened to a lot of other people. We’re not the only ones that have been bit by it this year. That’s just part of it. You deal with it. That’s why you try to acquire depth in your organization because you know you’re going to need it. Nobody’s insulated from it, everybody goes through it. Multiple teams out there have dealt with this same thing.”
