Atlanta Braves righthander and former Clemson pitcher Spencer Strider is facing a lengthy absence.
The Braves provided an injury update on Strider this week, announcing he will be shut down from throwing for four weeks following a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister on Monday.
One day after Strider had to leave early during his start Friday against the New York Mets, Strider was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and was placed on the injured list.
Strider will undergo a follow-up MRI following the four-week shutdown period, and if the scan is clear, he will then begin a throwing progression.
Even if all goes well in Strider’s recovery from the elbow injury, it appears unlikely he’ll be able to return to the Braves’ rotation until late this season.
More from the Braves website on Strider’s injury situation and recovery timeline:
“Meister found no structural damage when he evaluated Strider’s right elbow on Monday. The noted surgeon advised the pitcher to rest for a month and then undergo another MRI exam. If the scan is clean, Strider will be cleared to begin a throwing program.
“So, when might Strider rejoin Atlanta’s rotation? Well, best-case scenario, he won’t even begin rebuilding his arm strength before the latter part of July. That would likely be the start of a four-to-six week process, which would include multiple Minor League rehab starts.
“If all goes perfectly, a late August return seems possible. But an early September return might be more realistic.”
The hard-throwing Strider has dealt with injuries throughout his career. He tore his UCL while at Clemson in 2019, requiring Tommy John surgery. In April 2024, Strider underwent a season-ending internal brace procedure after once again experiencing elbow discomfort.
Strider has thrown just 39 innings in eight starts this season. He is 4-2 with an ERA of 5.31. He has 46 strikeouts with 20 walks, and he is giving up 2.1 home runs per nine innings pitched.
Strider began the 2026 season on the injured list with a left oblique strain he suffered during spring training, keeping him out of action the first month of the season. He was activated from the injured list on May 3.
Prior to his season-ending injury in 2024, Strider was an All-Star in 2023, when he led the majors in both wins and strikeouts.
That season, he racked up 281 strikeouts while posting a 20-5 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and allowing only 146 hits in 186.2 innings over 32 starts. He finished fourth in the 2023 NL Cy Young voting.
Strider, who was drafted by the Braves in the fourth round (No. 126 overall pick) of the 2020 MLB Draft, has compiled a 43-26 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 672 strikeouts in 494 innings across 98 career regular season games (85 starts).